DISINFO: Europe silent about Ukraine’s violation of Minsk deals
DISINFORMATION CASE DETAILS
  • Outlet: Pervyy kanal - YouTube [from 00:27:06 to 00:27:10] (archived)*
  • Date of publication: October 12, 2021
  • Article language(s): Russian
  • Reported in: Issue 263
  • Countries / regions discussed: Ukraine, Russia, Europe
Tags:
Donbas War in Ukraine Minsk agreements

DISINFO: Europe silent about Ukraine’s violation of Minsk deals

SUMMARY

Europe understands that Ukraine is violating the Minsk agreements but does not say it for political reasons.

RESPONSE

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets, claiming that Ukraine's position is the only obstacle on the way to the peace process in Donbas.

In reality, the main impediment to a peace settlement in Donbas is Russia’s and its proxies’ deliberate unwillingness to implement the Minsk agreements. These documents, signed by representatives of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Ukraine, Russia and leaders of the illegal separatist entities (DNR and LNR), provide, among other things, for a comprehensive ceasefire and withdrawal of foreign troops from Ukraine. Kyiv announced a truce in July 2020, but the Moscow-backed separatists have been violating it virtually every day.

Separatists often use the civilian population as a human shield by shelling Ukrainian positions from residential areas to accuse Ukrainian troops of possible civilian victims when they strike back. The Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) of the OSCE issues daily reports about hostilities. It is impossible to proceed with the peace process in Donbas as long as fighting is continuing and foreign troops are stationed in the region.

Apart from regular proposals for ceasefire, France and Germany, who are members of the Normandy format, also put forward other initiatives to solve the Donbas-conflict; however, Russia seems to ignore them.

See here about EU restrictive measures in response to the crisis in Ukraine.

Read more disinformation reports alleging that Ukraine is blocking the peace process.

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Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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