Disinfo: 96 percent of Crimeans voted to rejoin Russia in democratic referendum

Summary

Crimea reunited with Russia after nearly 96 percent of voters supported the move in a March 2014 referendum. Moscow has repeatedly stated that Crimea’s residents decided to rejoin Russia through a democratic procedure, and that the referendum was conducted in compliance with international law.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the illegal annexation of Crimea. No international body has recognised the so-called referendum, announced on 27 February 2014, and held on 16 March 2014. The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has stated that “the situation within the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol amounts to an international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. This international armed conflict began at the latest on 26 February 2014 when the Russian Federation deployed members of its armed forces to gain control over parts of the Ukrainian territory without the consent of the Ukrainian Government". On 27 March 2014 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in which it stated that the referendum in Crimea was not valid and could not serve as a basis for any change in the status of the peninsula. On 17 December 2018, the UN General Assembly confirmed its non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea. The EU's policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol includes a set of restrictive measures against entities and individuals responsible for actions against Ukraine's territorial integrity. In March 2019 on the fifth anniversary of Crimea's annexation, the EU reiterated its position of non-recognition of illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol. EU continues to stand in full solidarity with Ukraine, supporting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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sputniknews.com (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 170
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 22/10/2019
  • Outlet language(s) English
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: Territorial dispute, illegal annexation, West, Manipulated elections/referendum, Crimean Tatars, Crimea, Referendum
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Disinfo: UK will stay in EU, just as the British Elites and the EU decided, three years ago

Besides, deal or no deal, or BREXIT or no BREXIT, had already been decided shortly after the surprise pro-BREXIT public vote on 23 June 2016. And it is clear, not the EU and not the British elite want BREXIT. [—] Now, these behind-the-curtain elites are doing everything to appear keeping ‘democracy’ alive, respecting the vote, but finding any means to circumvent the action linked to the vote – namely BREXIT. The circus has lasted for over three years – and still no definitive decision is made. [—] This has all been plotted shortly after the surprise ballot by a small elite that keeps a firm handle on the British Parliament – and of course on the PM.

Oct 21, 2019
Disproof

A conspiracy theory, presented without any evidence, consistent with a narrative on an enigmatic elite, ruling from the shadows.

Disinfo: Example of Crimea showed that there is no stability in Europe

In Europe, everything was so bad and unstable that when Crimea returned to Russia in 2014, to which it belongs, everything else in Europe has faltered for you. Following the example of Crimea, which obviously went where it belonged, everything else began to wobble in Europe, things became restless.

Oct 21, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the illegal annexation of Crimea, and the European Union and separatism. Common narrative about the disintegration of Europe. Crimea was not returned to where it belongs, but was illegally annexed by Russia. No international body has recognised the so-called Crimea referendum, announced on 27 February 2014, and held on 16 March 2014. Thirteen members of the United Nations Security Council voted in favour of a resolution declaring the referendum invalid. On the 27th of March 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which stated that the referendum in Crimea was not valid and could not serve as a basis for any change in the status of the peninsula. On 17 December 2018, the UN General Assembly confirmed its non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea. On the fifth anniversary of Crimea's annexation, the EU reiterated its position of non-recognition of the landgrab and continues to stand in full solidarity with Ukraine, supporting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Disinfo: Ukraine won't join NATO, won't gain entry to the EU

You continue to tell both yourself and your citizens (Ukraine) that you are joining NATO, that you will enter the EU, that Russia is attacking. And this does not, and will not, happen. This is your parallel reality.

Oct 21, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives claiming that the EU and the West, in general, have abandoned Ukraine and that Russia is not involved in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine is a priority partner for the European Union, also within the EU's Eastern Partnership initiative. An Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between the EU and Ukraine, was negotiated between 2007 and 2011 and signed on 21 March and 27 June 2014. It replaces earlier frameworks for cooperation. The Association Agreement is the main tool for bringing Ukraine and the EU closer together: it promotes deeper political ties, stronger economic links and respect for common values. Relations between NATO and Ukraine date back to the early 1990s and have since developed into one of the most substantial of NATO’s partnerships. Since 2014, in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, cooperation has been intensified in critical areas. The international community, including the European Union recognises and condemns clear violations of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity by acts of aggression by the Russian armed forces since February 2014.