Disinfo: Chauvinism and xenophobia have become an official state policy in Ukraine

Summary

Since the 2014 coup d’etat in Ukraine, openly supported by the United States and a number of Western countries, Ukraine has plunged deeper and deeper into political chaos, corruption, lawlessness and aggressive nationalism. Kyiv deliberately promotes an ethnic and ideological divide in society, while chauvinism and xenophobia have become an official state policy in Ukraine.

Disproof

Recurring Russian narrative about an US-and EU backed coup d'etat in Ukraine, as well as chaos and decay of Ukraine. Chauvinism and xenophobia have not become an official state policy in Ukraine. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center from 2018, the level of anti-Semitism in Ukraine turned out to be the lowest in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (5 %). The spontaneous onset of the Euromaidan protests was a reaction of numerous parts of the Ukrainian population to former President Yanukovych’s sudden departure from the Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013. There were democratic Presidential elections held on 25 May 2014 in Ukraine. The OSCE characterised the elections as showing the "clear resolve of the authorities to hold what was a genuine election largely in line with international commitments and with a respect for fundamental freedoms." According to the OSCE, the only areas where serious restrictions were reported were those controlled by separatists, who undertook "increasing attempts to derail the process." This fact was reconfirmed by the parliamentary elections of 26 October 2014. The OSCE characterised the vote as "an amply contested election that offered votes real choice, and a general respect for fundamental freedoms".

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 140
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 20/02/2019
  • Outlet language(s) German
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine
  • Keywords: Ukraine, Racism
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Disinfo: Ukrainians can be forced to celebrate Europe Day instead of Victory Day

Ukrainians are to be forced to celebrate Europe Day instead of Victory Day. The following project of bill was registered by Ukrainian deputies in Verkhovna Rada. This is part of the campaign to level down the Soviet holidays in Ukraine. Earlier, the director of the Institute of National Memory of Ukraine, Vladimir Vyatrovich, proposed a project to abolish Victory Day. Attacks on holidays from the side of the Institute continue for the third year in a row: nationalists are trying to rewrite the Ukraine’s history in accordance with new ideological guidelines. Victory Day and International Women’s Day are particularly prominent targets of rejection.

Disproof

Unfounded claims, presented without evidence. The project of bill was registered in May 2018, and is still pending consideration. According to the Verkhovna Rada's official website, the text does not refer to the replacement of holidays. The authors of the document propose to celebrate Europe Day at the same day as Victory Day in order to celebrate it together with other EU countries and "to witness in such way common European integration values, a common vision of the past and the future of our continent". At the same time, the project has already been assessed by the Main Scientific and Expert Department. In the assessment, the department notes that the practice of celebrating Victory Day and Europe Day at different times has developed in Ukraine, and the nature of the celebration of these days is also different. “Based on the aforementioned, the Main Department notes that there are no purely legal obstacles to the adoption of the draft law, however, it draws attention to the inexpediency of celebrating two events, different in their orientation and goals, on the same day, as it is actually proposed in the draft law”.

Disinfo: Brussels tries to avoid a "palace coup" by increasing Russophobia ahead of the EU elections

The Kerch Strait incident is a provocation used by Brussels to increase Russophobic sentiment ahead of the EU elections. There is a danger that Brussels will try to retain its position by force, refusing to recognize the election results in European countries, arguing that there was a “Russian intervention”. Brussels is a US puppet that tries to increase tensions between the Europe and Russia,

Disproof

This is an ongoing pro-Kremlin conspiracy theory about US influence in Europe. Check our database for more cases on Russophobia, elections meddling, and the Kerch Strait incident. For background:

On November 25th 2018, border patrol boats from Russia’s FSB security service seized two small Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels and their crews after shooting at them and wounding several Ukrainian servicemen. Russia argued that the Ukrainian boats were in Russian waters. However, a bilateral treaty between Russia and Ukraine (signed in 2003 and ratified by Russia in 2004) governs the use of the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov, stipulating that they are the “internal waters” of both Russia and Ukraine.

Disinfo: CNN is the right hand of NATO and the US State Department

CNN is behaving like the right hand (or the left, or even a leg) of NATO and the US State Department.

Disproof

Conspiracy theory with no evidence. Consistent with pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives attacking and discrediting Western media. More examples are available here and here. CNN has no connection either to NATO or to the US State Department. CNN, an American news-based television channel, was founded in 1980 by American media proprietor Ted Turner and is now owned by Turner Broadcasting System.