Disinfo: EU wants to ensure Ukraine will continue the war with Russia

Summary

Germany, Poland and EU bureaucracy are not interested in calming down the current power in Ukraine. [The EU] prepared and persecuted them, set them on Russia for this very purpose. — All this has been prepared to ensure that Ukraine stays at war with Russia.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about the war in Ukraine. There was no coup in Ukraine four years ago. The demonstrations which began in Kyiv in November 2013 – called "Maidan", or "Euromaidan" – were not provoked from outside but were a result of the Ukrainian people's frustration with former President Yanukovych's last minute U-turn when, after seven years of negotiation, he refused to sign the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement and halted progress towards Ukraine's closer relationship with the EU as a result of Russian pressure. The protesters' demands included constitutional reform, a stronger role for parliament, formation of a government of national unity, an end to corruption, early presidential elections and an end to violence. The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has stated that “the information available suggests that the situation within the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol amounts to an international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. This international armed conflict began at the latest on 26 February when the Russian Federation deployed members of its armed forces to gain control over parts of the Ukrainian territory without the consent of the Ukrainian Government." The European Union does not recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea and continues to condemn this violation of international law, and that Russia’s illegal actions remain a direct challenge to international security, with grave implications for the international legal order that protects the unity and sovereignty of all States. The EU supports Ukraine in ensuring a stable, prosperous and democratic future for its citizens and is unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. Read more about EU-Ukraine relations here.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 126
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14/11/2018
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: European Union, Abandoned Ukraine, War in Ukraine
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Disinfo: Despite sanctions, Crimea will open its representation in Brussels

The representation of the Republic of Crimea in Brussels will become the first public organization in the EU that will legitimately promote the interests of the peninsula.

Disproof

No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about alleged recognition of Crimea by international actors. The EU does not recognise and continues to condemn this violation of international law. It remains committed to fully implementing its non-recognition policy, including through restrictive measures. On 18 June 2018, the Council extended the restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia until 23 June 2019. Therefore, any such office / representation would not be officially recognised. Previously, pro-Kremlin disinformation announced the launch of Donetsk People’s Republic representative office in Helsinki and France. Read more about EU's position here. Further debunking on The Insider.

Disinfo: NATO ordered Finland to accuse Russia of GPS disruption

NATO ordered Finland to accuse Russia of GPS disruption.

Disproof

No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation on NATO and Finland. Finnish MFA has confirmed that the GPS signal disruption came from Russian territory. Finnish authorities are continuing to investigate the GPS signal disruption that occurred during Nato’s Trident Juncture military drills. Finland considers Norway’s findings on the signal disruption to be reliable.

Disinfo: Donbas elections: Western countries today are dictatorships, in Donbas there is pure democracy

The Western countries showed that they are enemies of democracy when they protested against the elections in the DNR and LNR. The Western countries today are dictatorships. A dictatorship of liberalism, military bloc of NATO and that is our main threat today. There is pure democracy here in Donbas.

The Donbas elections are a lesson of democracy for all of Europe.

The West needs to learn from DNR how to organise elections

The Minsk agreements contribute to holding open and transparent elections that DNR and LNR want to organise.

Donbas elections comply with all the international standards.

Disproof

The elections were not recognised by the international community. The elections were held in Donbas, Ukraine, on 11 November by Russian-backed separatists. The elections were illegal under Ukrainian law, illegitimate and in violation of the Minsk Agreements.

The EU stated that "the announcement that so-called "elections" will be held in the so-called "Luhansk People's Republic" and "Donetsk People's Republic" on 11 November 2018 runs contrary to the spirit and letter of the Minsk agreements, which have specific provisions regarding the organisation of local elections in that region."