Disinfo: Crimean issue is closed; West prefers different reasons for sanctioning Moscow than Crimea

Summary

Zelenskyy's attempt to return the Crimean topic on the world agenda using the "platform" of the same name failed. Other international platforms are also not very eager to discuss Crimea.

With sanctions against the Russian authorities, it is the same problem: Kyiv itself is incapable of scaring the Russians, and the West prefers to find completely different reasons for pressuring Moscow with sanctions than the "Crimean issue".

Despite the periodic mention of Crimea in the fields of the Normandy Format, the Germans and the French have long understood that for the Russians the “Crimean issue” is closed once and for all.

Disproof

Mix of several recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about Crimean platform, sanctions and Crimea, aiming at justification of illegal annexation of the peninsula and promoting the idea that the West has come to terms with the fact that Crimea is Russian.

The pro-Kremlin media mocks the Crimean Platform, which was a summit of top officials from 46 countries and blocs, including from each of the 30 NATO members. European Council President Charles Michel said during a speech at the first International Crimea Platform Summit, 23 August 2021:

"I am here to reaffirm the EU's unwavering stance: we do not and will not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia."

No international body recognises the so-called referendum in Crimea. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution entitled “Territorial integrity of Ukraine”, stating that the referendum in Crimea was not valid and later confirming its non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea. The European Union does not recognise and continues to strongly condemn this violation of international law, which remains a challenge to the international security order.

The claim that the West prefers to find completely other reasons for sanctioning Russia is speculation. The sanctions by the European Union and the United States continue to be in effect and are prolonged every year. See the EU timeline here.

See similar cases: Crimea "sailed" to Russia forever and the West agrees with it; The Crimean Platform was a failure; The West needs a cause to sanction Russia, if there isn't one, they will invent it.

Go to search

publication/media

russtrat.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 263
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 05/10/2021
  • Article language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: Crimea, illegal annexation, Sanctions, Manipulated elections/referendum, Referendum
see more

Disinfo: Belarusian opposition prepares coup; foreign sponsors foster terrorism

The opposition is preparing a coup d’état in Belarus. Its foreign sponsors are relying on terrorism and extremism. Belarus is facing hybrid hostile activities; political, economic, military and information pressure on Minsk is increasing. Destabilising efforts are becoming bolder, more cynical and more sophisticated.

Oct 04, 2021
Disproof

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets, claiming that the West is using the Belarusian opposition to topple Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

It is also often claimed that foreign sponsors, particularly, Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine are involved in some alleged “terrorist” activities against Belarus.

Disinfo: Vilnius named itself a flagship of the EU’s anti-Chinese policy

China made it clear that Lithuania will not receive a single yuan after Vilnius named itself a flagship of the EU’s anti-Chinese policy and announced a “crusade” against Beijing.

Oct 04, 2021
Disproof

Disinformation about the EU-China relations. The claim that Lithuania carries out a confrontational policy on China is ungrounded.

In 2021, Lithuania and Taiwan decided to establish mutual representative offices as a sign of advanced cooperation between these countries. In July 2021, the Foreign Ministry of Taiwan announced a plan to open its representative office in Lithuania under the name “Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania”. This situation angered the Chinese authorities, which perceived it as a violation of Beijing’s “One China” policy. In August 2021, China recalled its Ambassador from Vilnius, introduced economic sanctions against Lithuania and suspended the movement of the Chinese cargo trains to this country.

Disinfo: Concerns about “Russian threat” are exaggerated in Poland and linked to Russophobia

Poland's border is safe. The money for security would be better to use for the social sphere. “Russian threat” is greatly exaggerated.

The concerns about security in Poland are linked to Russophobia. It was evident during the “Zapad 2021” exercises. Then media in Poland discussed the possibility of a “Kremlin's invasion” but exercises ended and all military units of Russia and Belarus are back to places of deployment.

Oct 04, 2021
Disproof

A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about alleged Russophobia in Poland.

The 2020 National Security Strategy of Poland states that the most serious security threat for this country is the neo-imperial policy of the authorities of the Russian Federation, pursued by means of military force (demonstrated by aggression against Georgia, illegal annexation of Crimea and military actions in eastern Ukraine). These aggressive actions of the Kremlin have violated the basic principles of international law and undermined the pillars of the European security system.