UN, November 9. /TASS/. Ordinary citizens in European countries appear to be realizing that for years now they have been lied to about an alleged threat from the East, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said.

"A wave of protests has spread like dominoes across France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. The situation in France is particularly telling, as mass demonstrations against the authorities have lasted some time now. Hundreds of thousands of citizens have taken to the streets, outraged by deteriorating living conditions and the erosion of social programs," the diplomat said during a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

"It seems that ordinary Europeans are beginning to understand that for years they have been led by the nose - frightened with the notorious 'threat from the East' - and are now being asked to sacrifice their own well-being to bankroll Kiev and fuel the geopolitical ambitions of Brussels-based European leaders aimed at weakening Russia."