Disinfo: EU pursues policy of demonisation of Russia

Summary

The so called historical resolution of the European Parliament has no connection to history whatsoever. It’s a pure provocation, which is consistent with the current EU policy towards Russia – demonisation.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the EU and the resolution of the European Parliament on the importance of European remembrance for the future of Europe. Also see previous disinformation cases accusing others of provocations. The current legal basis for EU-Russia relations is the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) which came into force in 1997, initially for 10 years. Since 2007 it has been renewed annually. It established a political framework for regular consultation between the EU and Russia, based on the principles of respect for democracy and human rights, political and economic freedom, and commitment to international peace and security. Furthermore, the PCA is complemented by sectorial agreements covering a wide range of policy areas, including political dialogue, trade, science and technology, education, energy and environment, transport, and prevention of illegal activities. Some of these dialogues and consultations have been suspended following the annexation of Crimea. Read more here. On 18 September, the European Parliament adopted a resolution, with which:

MEPs voice concern at the efforts of the current Russian leadership to whitewash crimes committed by the Soviet totalitarian regime and see them as a “dangerous component of the information war waged against democratic Europe”. They also condemn extremist and xenophobic political forces and organisations in Europe for distorting historical facts, and employing the symbolism and rhetoric of totalitarian propaganda, including racism, anti-Semitism and hatred towards sexual and other minorities.

Read more about the resolution here.

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5-tv.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 178
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 28/12/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Keywords: European Parliament, Provocation, European Union
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Disinfo: Western societies dominated by childish and stupid people

Italy and Western societies, in general, are increasingly dominated by childish and stupid people and are hostile to values such as courage, loyalty and ardor. This type of individual, which is increasingly common in the West in all social classes, political parties and religions, repeats empty slogans and platitudes, rejects war and is convinced that he is the vanguard of a new society. In Italy, individuals with these characteristics are selling off the country to foreigners and are unaware of the consequences of their actions.

Dec 27, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the decadence of Western values, about the moral bankruptcy of the West and about threatened national identity. According to the narrative of threatened values, the “effeminate West” is rotting under the onslaught of decadence, materialism, gender ideologies and “political correctness”, while Russia embodies traditional values, spirituality and higher virtues. Closely related to the narrative of lost sovereignty, that of threatened national identity maintains that existential danger stems from a diverse array of sources: Islam, gay people, children’s rights, and more. In this specific case, the supposed sell-off of nations to foreigners is the combined result of the two narratives. Read similar cases claiming that post-modern feminism in the West is leading to the total destruction of men and that the West degrades traditional values and endangers societies.

Disinfo: Estonian laws only foresee asset freezing for people and companies mentioned in the EU sanctions list

The Estonian laws only foresee asset freezing for people and companies mentioned in the EU sanctions list. This means that Rossija Segodnya can only be sanctioned if it is proven that Dmitri Kiselyov owns or controls the assets of the organization. It’s a fact that Kiselyov does not own the money nor resources of Rossiya Segodnya, it’s all [Russian] state property.

Dec 27, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative portraying Western governments as hostile toward "alternative voices" in the media, particularly Russian ones.

Estonia is on the 11th place of Reporters without Borders Press freedom index. Estonia has not blocked Sputnik Estonia's website, it is accessible and operational. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu has emphasized that Estonia has not taken any measures against the portal's media content: "They are financial sanctions aimed at economic activity. I believe it to be justified. We have notified the European Commission's Legal Service. European agencies have said in the Commission that steps taken by Estonia in exercising sanctions policy are warranted."

Disinfo: Sputnik Estonia and its employees are being persecuted

This is the persecution, the real persecution, which is now being conducted against not only the Sputnik Estonia, but specifically, every employee who goes to work. Sputnik Estonia’s reporters did not violate the laws of the country and professional ethics.

Dec 26, 2019
Disproof

Recurring disinformation campaign aimed at the Estonian authorities. There is no persecution against Sputnik in Estonia as clarified by a recent interview given by the Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Estonia is on the 11th place of Reporters without Borders Press freedom index. It's important to note that Estonia has not blocked Sputnik Estonia's website, as it is accessible and operational. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu has emphasized that Estonia has not taken any measures against the portal's media content: "They are financial sanctions aimed at economic activity. I believe it to be justified. We have notified the European Commission's Legal Service. European agencies have said in the Commission that steps taken by Estonia in exercising sanctions policy are warranted." The agency has been forced to move out of its office in Tallinn because of its inability to pay the rent due to sanctions. In October 2019, Estonia-based branches of the foreign banks that operated the accounts of Rossiya Segodnya, the mother company of Sputnik, froze all its transfers, while other banks in Estonia refused to operate with the firm. Banks in Estonia are not the only institutions to have taken action against Rossiya Segodnya for this reason. In 2015, Barclays bank closed the account used by the agency in the UK. In 2016, Latvia's domain registry shut the website of Sputnik Latvia after receiving a letter of concern from the Latvian Foreign Ministry, which drew attention to Sputnik's coverage of Ukraine and routine denial of the embattled nation's territorial integrity. In July 2019, Latvian authorities blocked access to the online portal baltnews.lv, owned by Rossiya Segodnya, because of the EU sanctions. In mid-2019, a court in Vilnius ruled on blocking Sputnik Lithuania over copyright issues. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Russian media is being discriminated in the Baltic states and that Baltic states’ policies equal to Third Reich. Further information on Sputnik's operations can be read in our article circling-the-earth.