Disinfo: Crimea became part of Russia after the events of 2014 in Ukraine

Summary

The Crimean peninsula became part of Russia after the events of 2014 in Ukraine, when power changed in the country as a result of a coup. The decision was made following the results of a nationwide referendum, in which more than 80% of Crimeans participated. More than 95% of Crimean residents voted for reunion with Russia. Despite the results of the referendum, Kyiv denies the peninsula’s right to self-determination and refuses to recognise it as part of Russia.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the annexation of Crimea, claiming that Crimea voted to rejoin Russia through a legal referendum.

Crimea is a part of Ukraine and was illegally annexed by Russia. In 2014, Russian troops obliged the parliament of Crimea to organise a referendum, which was illegitimate under international law, and then formally annexed the peninsula and brought it under Russian territorial control. The annexation has been condemned by the UNGA (see the resolution A/RES/68/262 on the territorial integrity of Ukraine).

No international body recognises the so-called referendum, announced on 27 February 2014 and held on 16 March 2014.

Following the covert invasion by “little green men,” the referendum in Crimea was conducted hastily and at gunpoint, barring impartial observers from entering the peninsula.

A year after the illegal annexation, Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted that the plan to annex Crimea was ordered weeks before the so-called referendum.

The European Union does not recognise Crimea's annexation and continues to condemn it as a violation of international law. EU sanctions continue to be in place against Russia as a consequence of the annexation. For the EU's statement on the sixth anniversary of Crimea annexation see here.

The article also claims that sanctions against Russia are not effective, and some countries are urging the EU to weaken or lift the sanctions against Russia. See the case: EU is suffering from sanctions against Russia.

It also said that restrictions do not have any effect on Russia, whose economy has long adapted to them. See the case: Sanctions against Russia are ineffective.

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publication/media

RT Russia (Archived)

Reported in: Issue 200
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 03/06/2020
Language/target audience: Russian
Country: Russia, Ukraine
Keywords: Ukraine, illegal annexation, Sanctions, Crimea

The West is unable to fight for the lives of its citizens and ceases to consider human life valuable

The process of dehumanisation is in front of our eyes and it increases rapidly. The West, which has been unable to fight for the lives of its citizens, ceases to consider human life valuable. Globalisation and supranational structures during the pandemic have proved futile. America can hijack a plane with masks supposedly intended for its ally France and is ready to outbid scientists working on a vaccine in allied Germany.

June 05, 2020

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the lack of effective EU reaction to the epidemic and a narrative portraying the West as an incompetent actor, betraying its partners.

Coronavirus did challenge the EU's crisis response mechanisms, however, the European Commission is supporting the Member States in tackling the pandemic and in mitigating its economic consequences. To cushion the blow to people’s livelihoods and the economy, the European Commission has adopted a comprehensive economic response to the outbreak, applied the full flexibility of the EU's fiscal rules, has revised its State Aid rules and proposed to set up a €37 billion Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative to provide liquidity to small businesses and the health care sector. The EU also created the first-ever stockpile of medical equipment. Read more on the EU's response to the COVID-19 outbreak here.

Ukrainian government lost its legitimacy after 2014 coup

De jure, after the coup, the legitimacy of the constitutional system of Ukraine (its government) and the powers of the highest authorities, the domestic and international legal personality of the state, have been lost and have not yet been restored.

At present, Ukraine is a completely dependent country, subjected to deindustrialisation and humiliation, which has lost its sovereignty, domestic and international legitimacy, as well as territorial integrity.

June 05, 2020

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the Euromaidan and statehood of Ukraine.

Ukraine has not lost its sovereignty, legitimacy and territorial integrity. Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by most of the free world, confirmed by the resolutions of the United Nations, but violated by Russia.

Ukraine refuses to adhere to the Minsk agreements

Ukraine refuses to adhere to the internationally recognised way to end the bloodshed and resolve the conflict in the Donbas.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba declares that Ukraine refuses to fulfil a number of clauses of the Minsk agreements. Consequently, Ukraine refuses to implement the entire package of the Minsk agreements aimed at resolving the conflict in the Donbas.

June 05, 2020

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the war in Ukraine, claiming that Ukraine refuses to implement the Minsk agreements.

Ukraine has never claimed that it does not want to implement the Minsk agreements. The implementation of the agreements remains one of the key priorities of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.