Deliverable 2.2 of the EU-funded project with the ID 118471, coordinated by the University of Tartu (UTARTU).
Filips Lastovskis | Delfi
LATVIA AS A “RUSOPHOBIC SPEARHEAD” AND WESTERN PUPPET
Russian and Belarusian propaganda consistently portray Latvia as a mere extension of Western – and particularly American – geopolitical interests, framing it as a frontline actor in an aggressive, NATO-led campaign against Russia. Latvia is described as a country ruled by “rusophobic elites” who are allegedly pushing policies designed to provoke Moscow while sacrificing their own citizens’ welfare. This narrative delegitimizes Latvia’s strategic decisions – such as its support for Ukraine and increased defense spending – as reckless, externally imposed choices that do not reflect the will of its population. The portrayal serves a dual purpose: to erode internal trust in democratic institutions and to suggest that closer ties with Russia would be a more rational and beneficial path.
COORDINATED DISINFORMATION AND PROPAGANDA TACTICS FROM MOSCOW AND MINSK
The disinformation methods employed by Russia and Belarus are not only synchronized but often indistinguishable. Belarusian narratives frequently replicate and amplify Kremlin talking points – whether it’s about NATO’s alleged expansionist ambitions, the economic decline of the Baltics, or the persecution of Russian speakers. Messaging strategies from Minsk and Moscow overlap in three key ways: first, they reframe Baltic defense efforts as militarization and aggression; second, they contrast national security spending with deteriorating public services to incite social discontent; and third, they use fabricated or distorted events (like the alleged mistreatment of migrants or downplayed Russian drone crashes) to construct conspiracy-laden narratives. Belarus acts as a propaganda echo chamber, reinforcing Russian messaging under the guise of an independent voice, giving Kremlin narratives broader reach and credibility.
ERASING BALTIC LEGITIMACY AND PROMOTING AUTHORITARIAN “ALTERNATIVES”
Both Russian and Belarusian propaganda strive to undermine the historical and political legitimacy of the Baltic states. Latvia is frequently described as a product of historical error or Western meddling, with its national identity dismissed as artificial. These attacks are compounded by accusations of systemic discrimination against Russian-speaking minorities and so-called “thought policing” against dissenting voices. Belarusian media not only echo these claims but supplement them with emotional testimonials from defectors and “ordinary citizens” who praise authoritarian regimes and criticize life in the West. These stories seek to normalize authoritarianism and depict democratic societies as hypocritical, divided, and hostile. Ultimately, the coordinated propaganda campaign works to destabilize societal trust, discourage integration, and cast Russia and Belarus as moral strongholds in contrast to a decadent West.