On August 20, 2025, former Moldovan Justice Minister Alexandru Tănase reported on Facebook that Russia had launched a propaganda campaign in Europe under the slogan “Russia is not my enemy.” The message appeared on stickers placed in public spaces across Romanian cities, echoing similar efforts previously observed in Italy and France. Local media confirmed that the campaign, titled “Russia is not my enemy”, is spreading across multiple European countries.
Expansion of hybrid tactics
The campaign uses simple slogans and stickers to mask Moscow’s aggression, portraying Russia as a peaceful partner while it continues its war against Ukraine. Tănase described the slogans as a new aspect of hybrid warfare, noting that they are designed to manipulate perceptions and undermine Romania’s commitment to NATO and the European Union. Similar initiatives in France were promoted by the pro-Russian NGO SOSDONBASS, whose leadership has been linked to extremist groups.
Romanian and European concerns
Romanian officials and commentators emphasize that propaganda tools like these aim to destabilize public unity, create doubts about Romania’s Euro-Atlantic orientation, and erode confidence in democratic values. Analysts stress that such messaging should be seen as part of Moscow’s broader strategy to weaken European solidarity, particularly regarding support for Ukraine. Local reports highlight that the stickers are not harmless expressions of opinion but targeted attempts to normalize Russia’s narrative and blur responsibility for its actions.
Wider European implications
The appearance of the campaign in Romania underlines the need for collective European vigilance against disinformation. Experts warn that initiatives like “Russia is not my enemy” are intended to fracture the continent’s cohesion and portray the war in Ukraine as a distant issue. Ukraine continues to insist that ignoring or justifying Russian aggression equates to complicity, while European leaders argue that sustained support for Kyiv is essential for protecting the continent’s security and democratic order.
Russia, meanwhile, persists in its military campaign in Ukraine, with civilian casualties and destruction mounting daily. Observers stress that no slogan can conceal the reality of Moscow’s ongoing aggression, making coordinated resistance to disinformation campaigns an urgent priority for Europe.
