On July 8, 2016, the two-day NATO summit in Warsaw, Poland began. The summit was an opportunity to define NATO's policy vis-à-vis Russia. In advance of the summit, a number of cartoons critical of this policy were published in pro-Kremlin media.
Below is a review of cartoons on the NATO summit in Warsaw. A report on Russian reactions to summit will follow.
NATO As A Nazi Organization
The cartoon below compares NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to Hitler. The man on the left in the audience is saying, "What is he talking about?" and the second man replies, "Just about the same..."
Vitaly, Topwar.ru, July 10, 2016.
The Russian Threat
This cartoon shows NATO insisting that the real threat is Russia, as the West suffers from terrorism, the migrant crisis, and the economic crisis. The NATO official on the ship points at a picture of a monster labeled "Russia" and says, "No, No, NO! This is your real threat!"
The Russian government-funded media outlet Sputniknews.com wrote as a caption for this cartoon: "The NATO summit is underway in Warsaw and guess what the alliance is discussing? The imaginary Russian threat, of course... Citing NATO's ability to ward off 'aggressive and dangerous' Russia, terrorist threats, and the instability in Europe's neighborhood, the alliance simply wants member states to contribute more to defense spending. But some European states don't believe in NATO's might and prefer to arm themselves."
Vitaly
Podvitsky, Sputniknews.com, July 8, 2016.
The cartoon below depicts Russian President Vladimir Putin saying: "In Poland, they say that NATO exists in order to repel the Russian threat. So, the occupation of Iraq, of Afghanistan, the bombing in Libya were just means to repel the Russian threat?"
Twitter.com/sharzhipero,
July 7, 2016.
This cartoon shows "Russia" knocking on "NATO's" door asking, "May I borrow some salt?" NATO responded, "F**k, you scared me..."
Twitter.com/sharzhipero,
July 7, 2016.
Below, U.S. President Barack Obama and a NATO soldier, armed with flail and a pitchfork, respectively, lie in wait in an ambush. Obama says: "When we see a bear [i.e. Russia], a terrorist, or a Brexit - we just jump and tear them apart." NATO responds, "I'll attack Brexit!"
The cartoon refers to the fact that the main challenges that NATO tackled at the Warsaw summit were Russia, the Islamic State (ISIS), and Brexit.
Vitaly
Podvitsky, Ria.ru, July 8, 2016.
NATO's Expansion Eastward
The cartoon below shows NATO expanding eastward, drawing closer to the Russian border.
Vitaly Podvitsky,
Vk.com/13studiya, July 8, 2016.
The NATO Summit As A Place Of Depravity
Below, two prostitutes stand outside the entrance to the NATO summit. One says, "Hey soldier, wanna see our summits?"
Sputniknews.com wrote as a caption for the cartoon: "Everything is ready for the NATO summit in Warsaw. Even ladies of the night are ready to work tirelessly during these 'tough times.'"
Vitaly
Podvitsky, Sputniknews.com, July 7, 2016.
The U.S. As Colonizer Of Europe
The image below states: "This is the 'speech-cage' for the self-proclaimed States of America's ringleader, when he comes to inspect his European colonies."
