Disinfo: EU and US do not need democracy in Ukraine

Summary

The surge of anti-democratic trends in Ukraine became possible because of a drastic change in the domestic situation in the United States. President Joe Biden allowed his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy to do any action except an all-out war in Donbas in order to keep the US control over Ukraine. The European Union turns a blind eye to Zelenskyy’s activities aimed at eliminating the opposition.

Disproof

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media, trying to portray Kyiv’s recent attempts to diminish Russia’s influence in Ukraine as an assault on democracy. In reality, legal action against pro-Kremlin opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk has nothing to do with alleged attacks on democracy. Medvedchuk was put under suspicion on 11 May 2021 after prosecutors presented evidence of his complicity in anti-Ukrainian activities.

Pro-Kremlin media also accuse Ukraine of closing three opposition TV channels. These TV channels -- ZIK, NewsOne and 112 Ukraina -- were oppositional and aired manifestly pro-Russian views, sometimes on the verge of blatant pro-Kremlin propaganda. However, the Ukrainian authorities did not take them off the air on 2 February 2021 for these reasons. Sanctions were introduced on their owner, Taras Kozak, an ally of Viktor Medvedchuk, who is widely believed to be their real owner. Medvedchuk is also a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

These actions have nothing to do with what pro-Kremlin media and politicians call infringements on democracy. These are only Ukrainian attempts to finally get rid of Russian influence and continue its pro-Western course. The claim that the European Union and the United States do not want a democratic Ukraine is untrue.  Kyiv’s Western partners support democratic reforms in Ukraine. EU and US officials often visit Kyiv for talks at various levels to discuss human rights in Ukraine and ways to improve the situation. Ukraine’s human rights record, albeit often criticised, is much better than those of some other ex-Soviet neighbours (read here and here).

Read more disinformation narratives alleging that there is no democracy in Ukraine.

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asd.news (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 245
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19/05/2021
  • Article language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, EU, US
  • Keywords: Donbas, Democracy, War in Ukraine, Ukrainian statehood
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Disinfo: EU prepares new smear campaign against Russia, accuses it of anti-vax activities

The European Union's leadership is preparing a new slander campaign against Russia, accusing it of fuelling the anti-vaccination movement abroad. Russia is holding dialogue with the relevant European bodies and member states of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) over the use of Sputnik V which has shown good results. What is really impeding the vaccination is opposition from EU officials. The EMA continues to block the certification of the Russian vaccine, in compliance with informal instructions of high-ranking EU officials.

May 18, 2021
Disproof

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media outlets, claiming that Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is much better and more efficacious than any foreign ones, which is why the European Union is fighting against it. In reality, there is no evidence of EU bias against the Russian vaccine or that EU officials are blocking its certification. What is more, EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke, said she hoped the Sputnik V vaccine would be approved. For that EMA is conducting a rolling review including with a visit to Russian facilities.

The EMA has certified four vaccines so far. The rolling review of Sputnik V was launched on 4 March 2021. Pro-Kremlin media often quote an article in The Lancet magazine, which showed 91.6 per cent effectiveness of Sputnik V without considerable side effects. However, there have been some doubts as to its efficacy, especially where the trial procedures are concerned (see here and here.) Recently, in the Lancet article published 12 May 2021 critical questions about the Sputnik V data for phase III clinical trial were raised.

Disinfo: Western sanctions are illegal and hostile actions

Russia perceives Western sanctions as illegal and sometimes hostile. Rejection of Western politics by Russian citizens can turn into hatred, this must be avoided.

"We perceive them (sanctions) as illegal, rather aggressive, and sometimes even hostile actions. These sanctions, of course, affect the consciousness of the population, ordinary citizens, and Russians. But how do they act? First, any threat unites the nation. Our citizens understand that this is a threat. From year to year, we have noticed an increase in rejection by Russian citizens of Western policy towards Russia. This is very significant. And it would be very bad if this rejection turned into hatred. This is what you need to beware of."

May 18, 2021
Disproof

Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about West's aggressive Russophobic policy of sanctions, framing them as unjustified measures against Russia.

Restrictive measures are a key tool of EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy which, by virtue of Article 29 of the Treaty of the EU, can be used to defend its strategic interests and protect its fundamental goals overseas. Other international actors have the right to impose them under international law as well under certain conditions.

Disinfo: The US needs (GUM) Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova to squeeze Moscow in a vice

In fact, the adventure launched by Kyiv, Tbilisi and Chisinau cannot be called anything other than blackmail against their European allies.

The "associated trio" - Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, will exert moral pressure on European allies in the hope that they will have mercy and accept them into the EU. The United States is another matter, which needs just such a pugnacious and fanged group of countries along the entire perimeter of the state borders of the Russian Federation. The same notorious "Anaconda loop", with the help of which Washington hopes to squeeze Moscow in a vice.

And there is little doubt that the "Associated Trio" project was literally nurtured in the offices of the administration of the current President Joe Biden.

May 18, 2021
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the US presence in Europe, its actions aimed at encircling Russia, presenting every cooperation action for European integration, especially by the countries of the former Soviet Union, as actions against Russia.

The claim refers to the signing, on May 17, 2021, in Kyiv, of the Memorandum for cooperation in the field of European integration between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs from Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, also called the “Association Trio”. As announced the same day by the Moldovan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aureliu Ciocoi, the memorandum sets out a series of objectives for the cooperation of the countries associated with the EU and provides the normative basis for undertaking joint diplomatic efforts, trilateral consultations, public communication actions.