DISINFO: Sanctions against Russia are ineffective
SUMMARY
Sanctions against Russia are ineffective, not only did they fail to improve the situation in Ukraine, but also failed to influence the policy of Vladimir Putin. They only lead to the degradation of trust in Europe of our relation with the Russian partner. There is now a very important problem: the pandemic of Coronavirus. Europe should investigate the origin of the virus instead of extending the sanctions every six months, it would re-establish trust and trade within Europe with the Russians.
RESPONSE
Recurrent narrative about the sanctions against Russia claiming they are useless and counterproductive. An additional element is added about the origin of SARS-CoV-2. The EU sanctions were introduced as a political response to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and deliberate destabilization of Ukraine. The introduction, extension or possible removal of the EU restrictive measures is not related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest decision on a six-month extension of EU sanctions against Russian was taken on the 13th of March 2020, lasting until September 2020. See related example of pro-Kremlin disinformation alleging that the sanctions against Russia do not work.