Disinfo: Conflict in Ukraine is internal, Russia is not a party to it

Summary

The reality on the line of contact of forces in Donbas is frightening, the provocations of the Ukrainian military are not single, but multiple. Russia, not being a party to the conflict, cannot ensure a comprehensive ceasefire in Donbas, but uses its influence to implement agreements. Moscow has repeatedly stated that it is not a party to the internal Ukrainian conflict and is interested in Kyiv overcoming the political and economic crisis.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the war in Ukraine.

There is irrefutable evidence of direct Russian military involvement in eastern Ukraine. The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has stated that “the information available suggests 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".

The European Union stated in July 2014 that "arms and fighters continue flowing into Ukraine from the Russian Federation".

Also, according to the US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Russian special forces and troops operated to mobilise, lead, equip, and support separatist militias in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine from spring 2014 to the present, although their presence was denied by Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted Russia's military presence in Ukraine in 2015.

Read more similar disinformation cases alleging that Russia is not a party to the conflict and is not interested in a conflict with Ukraine, that the conflict in Donbas is only internal, the Russian army is not a part in hostilities in Ukraine, that Crimea reunited with Russia after a referendum and Russia is not part of the conflict in Ukraine, that Russia is not a party of the conflict in Ukraine at all and that Russia is not a party of Minsk Agreements and the internal Ukrainian conflict.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 240
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15/04/2021
  • Article language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia, Ukraine
  • Keywords: War in Ukraine, Donbas, Minsk agreements
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Disinfo: NATO and the EU inspire Ukraine to continue with Donbas conflict

NATO is, by all means, urging Ukraine to continue with the conflict in Donbas. It is a military alliance, which should be concerned with security issues. However, it panders to Kyiv. Being in close contact with the Kyiv regime, NATO does not express concern over what is happening in Donbas, egging Kyiv politicians on instead. Children, women and elderly people are dying. The European Union, with its powerful economy, armed forces and intelligence services, is watching what is happening in the very heart of Europe. It is not just watching, it is inspiring the Kyiv regime. The EU has never called on Ukraine to return to the table of negotiations and stop the escalation. The EU has toughened its rhetoric towards Russia.

Disproof

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media about the West’s desire to use Ukraine as a bridgehead for an attack on Russia.

In reality, NATO is not just a military alliance. Being also a political one, it first and foremost strives to prevent conflict. In the case of Ukraine, NATO is trying to help it keep the hostilities from flaring up again. Its members cooperate with Ukraine, hold joint military training, and the United States extends military aid to it so that it can defend its territory from the enemy's attacks. Contrary to pro-Kremlin disinformation reports, NATO member states have never sent their troops to fight in Donbas, nor have they spurred Ukrainian troops into violent action.

Disinfo: Ukraine repeatedly breaks the Minsk Agreements and arranges provocations

Instead of threats, it would be better for Ukraine to follow the Minsk agreements on the settlement of the armed conflict in the east of the country. Kyiv repeatedly breaks them [the Minsk Agreements] and arranges provocations, although it assures that “it does not want war”.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that Ukraine does not adhere to the 2014 Minsk Agreements and ceasefire regime in Donbas.

The implementation of the Minsk agreements remains one of the key priorities of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In a recent address, he mentioned that Ukraine will adhere to all agreements aimed at establishing peace in Donbas.

Disinfo: Polish law-enforcement agencies are the “errand boys” of the Ukrainian special services

The Nowak case showed once again that Polish services, the Prosecution and their political supervisors are, in fact, the “errand boys” of the Ukrainian special services (SBU and NABU). The Polish citizens such as Nowak are arrested in their own country for an act, which is a crime in Ukraine but not necessarily a crime in Poland. This situation shows the deep pathology of the Polish state institutions, which are ready to “grill” the Poles for alleged offences made by the Kyiv authorities. Nowak is the victim of a pathological situation, where the Polish services are actually subordinated not only to the American but even to the Ukrainian services. The Ukrainian law-enforcement agencies and the Prosecution service are probably as corrupt and incompetent as other institutions of this state, which has collapsed long ago.

Disproof

A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative that the United States and other countries, such as Israel or Ukraine, fully shape Poland's foreign and domestic policy (presenting Poland as a “puppet-state” of other countries).

The claim that the Polish law-enforcement agencies appear in “subordination” to the American and Ukrainian special services is untrue.