Disinfo: Europe may cancel visa-free regime due to measles epidemic in Ukraine

Summary

The President of the Association of Psychiatrists of Ukraine, Semen Gluzman, states that the massive failure of Ukrainian parents to vaccinate their children led to a large-scale problem with infectious diseases, in particular, measles. He believes that a measles outbreak threatens Ukraine with the loss of a visa-free regime from a number of EU countries.

Disproof

Recurring disinformation narrative about the EU planning to revoke the visa waiver for Ukraine. On December 19, 2018, the European Commission published the second report on the implementation of visa-free regime requirements by eight countries in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans, in particular, Ukraine. The document states that all countries fulfil these requirements, but should take additional measures to combat corruption and irregular migration. The report does not mention the situation with measles or another infectious disease, and that this may affect the termination of the visa-free regime. Regarding Ukraine, the European Commission notes that the criteria for visa liberalization continue to be met, but some of the recommendations from the first report have not been fulfilled, therefore immediate action is required

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ukraina.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 140
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 12/03/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine
  • Keywords: Ukraine, European Union, Visa liberalisation
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Disinfo: Non-transparent report of OPCW on Douma attack is biased

The OPCW report on the alleged use of toxic chemicals as a weapon in Douma is full of gaps, discrepancies, and inconsistencies. The OPCW, which announced the use of chlorine in Douma in April 2018, did not take into account elements presented by Russia, Syria and even by British journalists, in particular the recent statement by the British journalist Riam Dalati. After 6 months of investigation, according to this journalist, he could prove, without any doubt that the scene in the hospital of Douma was staged and no death occurred in the hospital. The investigation conducted by OPCW was not transparent enough.

Mar 11, 2019
Disproof

Recurring disinformation narrative on the chemical attack in Douma and the OPCW report covering it. OPCW's investigations of the use of chemical weapons are technical in nature and are designed to establish whether or not chemical weapons have been used, not to identify who used them. The methodological considerations, activities and timeline are an integral part OPCW's final report on Douma. It does not leave any doubts on the detection of chlorine on Douma: "based on the levels of chlorinated organic derivatives, detected in several environmental samples gathered at the sites of alleged use of toxic chemicals, which are not naturally present in the environment, the FFM concludes that the objects from which the samples were taken at both locations had been in contact with one or more substances containing reactive chlorine" (page 3 of the report). The tweet of BBC's producer Riam Dalati, mentioned in the claim, doesn't deny the chemical attack; "The producer was expressing his personal opinions about some of the video footage that emerged after the attack but has not claimed that the attack did not happen", the BBC spokesperson told Sputnik.

Disinfo: A Swedish film about an attack from Russia prepares the Swedes for joining NATO

In Sweden, a film about a Russian military attack on the country has premiered. A film like that has only one objective: to scare the Swedes and convince them that Russia is a monster, prepared to use chemical and biological weapons. Swedes are supposed to feel the threat from Russia. All this is to prepare the Swedes for a NATO membership.

Mar 11, 2019
Disproof

Sweden is maintaining a policy of non-alignment and has no plans to join the NATO. The film, Den blomstertid nu kommer, is a thriller about an attack from an unknown enemy force. The film never mentions any country as an aggressor. See here for another disinformation case on Sweden and NATO.

Disinfo: No proof of Russian interference in elections in the US and Europe

The European Parliament analysed the influence of Russia on elections in foreign countries. The authors of the study wrongly accuse Moscow of interfering in the affairs of the United States, Great Britain, France and other states. By doing so, Brussels is preparing for the possibility for anti-systemic parties to get more votes. If it happens, it will blame Russia for interference again. Accusing Russia of everything has become a kind of fashion trend in the West.

Mar 11, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the West blaming Russia for everything, and trying to divert attention from the real problems by doing so. There are numerous reports investigating meddling in elections across Europe in the US, which have already proven Kremlin's participation in meddling. See here for the list of the reports and here for the US Senate report outlining various meddling attempts in different countries.