Disinfo: Eastern Partnership - an instrument of energy colonialism

Summary

Real priority goals of the Eastern Partnership are: -expansion of the political and economic influence of the West in the post-Soviet space and the simultaneous narrowing of Russian influence; -expulsion of Russia from the Caucasus and the final consolidation of the separation of the post-Soviet republics from it; -reorientation of the post-Soviet republics towards Poland, the EU and NATO and the simultaneous “erosion” and creation of a counterbalance to the CIS and the CSTO; -integration of the regional energy sector, infrastructure and markets of the post-Soviet republics with the EU and energy transit bypassing Russia (from the southern, Caucasian-Caspian direction). In exchange for the West’s control over the energy transit sphere and infrastructure, post-Soviet limitrophes are offered a “special status” of relations with the EU and the ability to beg for loans from it. In fact the five priorities of Eastern Partnership after 2020 are an economical instrument of energy colonialism, turning the post-Soviet space into a resource appendage of the West, pushing Russia into North-East of Eurasia and creating an energy “cordon sanitaire” along the border of Russia.

Disproof

A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation message about Eastern Partnership accusing the EU of separating Russia from its neighbours. Message appeared after EU and Eastern Partnership leaders meeting in June 2020. The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is a joint policy initiative which aims to deepen and strengthen relations between the European Union (EU), its Member States and its six Eastern neighbours: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Read more about the Eastern Partnership and its priorities here. The Eastern Partnership initiative is not against Russia or any other country; it is a mutually beneficial and constructive platform for countries in the region to build a closer relationship with the EU if they so choose. The EU does not demand that any of its partners need to make a choice between the EU or any other countries. The EaP respects the individual aspirations and ambition of each partner country. The EU does not impose any action or programme on the partner countries. The overall aim of cooperation is to build a common area of shared democracy, prosperity and stability in line with each individual country's aspirations. Involvement in the EaP initiative does not exclude membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, CIS or CSTO. The EU is a supporter of regional integration in all areas of the world. But its support is based on the free choice of the participating countries and the respect for international law, including the respect for international borders. See similar cases claiming that Eastern Partnership aimed at weakening Russia’s geopolitical influence, that Eastern Partnership is about external control and disintegration, or Eastern Partnership is an imitation of integration to alienate post-Soviet states and Russia, that EaP is an aggressive Russophobic project directed against Russia and a concealed form of colonisation. Read more on the most repeated myths about the Eastern Partnership initiative here.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 206
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 01/07/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: EU, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova, Georgia, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: Caucasus, West, Eastern Partnership, Anti-Russian, European Union, Encircling Russia
see more

Disinfo: The US made an order for another cultural-historical split between Ukraine and Russia

The US Department of State is ready to pay $150,000 dollars to the Ukrainian organisation which will be creating material with clear Russophobic content. This is evidenced by the tender, which was published by the press service of the US Embassy in Ukraine. According to the document, Washington is ready to pay a relatively large amount of money for the creation of propaganda films. At the same time, the US Embassy in Kyiv does not hide that the goal of the project is the formation of anti-Russian sentiments. This is also evidenced by the fact that the Russian Federation is called an “enemy” state in the text.

Disproof

A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about Western Russophobia. The 'Notice of Funding Opportunity' by the US Department of State and the US Embassy in Kyiv does not contain Russophobic messages. According to the document, grant proposals include producing innovative content at the intersection of public history and digital media, highlighting Ukrainians’ personal stories of the country’s recent history. Applicants are asked to focus "on historical events frequently mischaracterised in Russian disinformation narratives and/or otherwise co-opted by malign foreign actors."

Disinfo: The Fourth Reich is coming

The world can find itself, in front of the “Fourth Reich”, where German law extended its authority to the entire European Union, and the German parliament and the government gained the right to bring the European Central Bank under their control.

Disproof

Disinformation narrative on the so-called Fourth Reich, which has according to Pro-kremlin outlets been plotted by the EU, the Anglo-Saxons and Angela Merkel. The article also contains a second disinformation narrative about Germany aiming to dominate the EU.

Germany is a democratic country. The Bundesrat participates in legislation, alongside the Bundestag, the directly elected representation of the people of Germany. Any parallel to the Nazi Third Reich is unsubstantiated.

Disinfo: George Soros finances the racial justice protests in the US with money won in Ukraine

The Democratic Party, Joe Biden, George Soros are spending money to support the demonstrations in the United States, which they won in a dirty way, among others, in Ukraine. They also finance “pogroms”, that is to say, the violent riots.

Disproof

Recurring narrative on the US protests being organised by George Soros and the Democrat party to take power away from Donald Trump illegally. There is no evidence to suggest that the protests in the US broke out through “top-down mobilisation,” or that someone is financing them. More globally, this narrative portrays any spontaneous disorders and civil uprisings in other states, very often the former Soviet republics, as Western-funded "colour revolutions". The widespread protests against racial injustice and police brutality broke out in the US after the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis on the 25 May 2020. The protests followed several high-profile incidents involving African Americans and the police, invoking debates about racism in the US. We also note the incorrect use of the word Pogrom to describe some marginal violence in the protests for racial justice. Though the situation was very tense for some days and protests spread to all 50 states of the country, military top officials and police officers worked effectively to de-escalate the situation, and demonstrations became largely peaceful after the first days.