Russia keeps reviving the same narratives it once used to justify its invasions of Ukraine — now aimed at Moldova and NATO’s Baltic members, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). On 3 December, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that authorities in those countries are “discriminating” against Russians.
Lavrov targets Baltics and Moldova with familiar pretext language
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on 3 December accused authorities in the Baltic States and Moldova of enacting “racist” laws and discriminating against the Russian population. The Institute for the Study of War said Lavrov’s statements closely resemble Kremlin narratives used to justify its invasions of Ukraine.
"The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the infamous ODIHR, overlooks its duties and pays no heed to lawless conduct of the neo-Nazi Kiev regime (Russia's cliché used to refer to the Ukrainian government in Moscow's official messaging, - Ed.) and the ruling circles of the Baltic states and Moldova, which adopt racist laws and subject local Russian population to ruthless discrimination," Lavrov’s article for Rossiyskaya Gazeta reads.
The Russian Foreign Minister further claimed that instead of tackling the above-mentioned Moscow's allegations, the ODIHR is "pumping out" ostensibly "blatantly untruthful reports about Russia’s alleged violations of international humanitarian law during the Ukraine conflict." He wrote it despite the fact that Russia's repeated war crimes in Ukraine have been well-documented.
Last month, Latvian television program De facto reported that Russian intelligence is using messaging apps, border travel, and online creators to spread Moscow-aligned content. Latvian and Estonian officials said Russia is recruiting low-income residents and young people to amplify pro-Kremlin narratives.
Also in November, Lavrov used another interview to level similar accusations at the Baltic States. According to ISW, that move showed Russia is working to revive its pre-invasion rhetoric — now against Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
