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Disinfo: The European Parliament supports Nicolás Maduro

Summary

A socialist European Parliament expressed its support for Maduro – a dictator who brought disaster and misery to his own population.

Disproof

This claim is false. In fact, the European Parliament recognised Juan Guaidó as the legitimate interim President of Venezuela on 31 January 2019, in accordance with the Venezuelan Constitution. This is an example of narrative shifting. Earlier, the pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign accused the West of supporting the coup and "bloody civil war" in Venezuela. Cases about the West supporting destabilisation in Venezuela can be found here and here. In addition, the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats is only the second largest party in the European Parliament, while the European People's Party holds the largest share of MPs. The same was for the previous legislative period of 2014-2019 when Juan Guaidó was recognised. Therefore, the claim of a 'socialist' European Parliament is unfounded.

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publication/media

myvideo.ge Resource [from 07 to 26] (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 154
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13/06/2019
  • Language/target audience: Georgian
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Keywords: Socialism, Juan Guaido, Nicolas Maduro, European Parliament, European Union, Europe

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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Sanctions against Russia are ineffective

Sanctions against Russia are absolutely ineffective and have cost Germany between 90 and 120 billion euros.  

June 17, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative that Western sanctions against Russia are unjust and ineffective. Claims that the sanctions are ineffective are not backed by evidence. In reality, sanctions imposed on Russia by the US and EU, following the annexation of Crimea and Russian meddling in the US election, have sapped Russian economic growth. The false narrative about sanctions is often backed by false statistics. For example, the alleged economic growth of two percent does not withstand scrutiny. In 2018, the inflation rate went up and the ruble depreciated 20% against the dollar. According to current estimates, Germany lost about 14 billion euros in exports to Russia in absolute terms during the period 2014 to 2016. Further reading on the Russian narrative about ineffective Western sanctions by StopFake. More cases related to sanctions are available here.

Latvia became a testing ground for NATO, youth are trained for guerrilla warfare against Russia

Latvia became a testing ground for NATO military equipment. It has turned into a large military base. Teenagers undergo military training for the guerrilla war with Russia. Playing war games has undermined the economy, Latvians are leaving their country.

June 17, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO provocations towards Russia and alleged decline and belligerence of the Baltic States. Latvia is a full-fledged member of NATO. NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia and other Baltic States and Poland serves to strengthen NATO collective defence, in adapting to the changed security situation in Europe following the illegal and illegitimate occupation and annexation of Crimea by Russia, the conflict in the eastern regions of Ukraine and the increased military activity close to NATO’s eastern border. Latvian Jaunsardze (young defenders) is not a paramilitary group, but a youth organization created in 1992 by the Latvian militia Zemeszardze. The Zemessardze is an integral part of the Latvian National Armed Forces. The claim that the industry of Latvia is ruined, is accompanied by an illustration of the destroyed building. A search on Google shows that the photo is the former building of the plant "Radiotekhnika" which was the largest audio equipment manufacturer in the Soviet Union. The economy of Latvia is increasing driven by high investment rates and income gains. At the end of 2016, Latvia had the lowest state debt among EU member states. Further debunking by Mythdetector is available here.

The idea of Ukraine is based on a mythologised lie

Kievan Rus has been turned into Ukraine, and then into “Anti-Russia”. Why Russians on one hand – and then those other Russians, who called themselves Ukrainians – became enemies? To understand this you have to go through the history of almost 900 years of Little Russian separatism, which started from an innocent seed and reached poisonous fruits. [The idea of] Ukraine as a sovereign country is based on a mythologised lie. In the end, this led into a civil war and Maidan.      

June 17, 2019
Disproof

No evidence given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukrainian statehood. Ukraine is recognised in international law as a sovereign nation state, with its own flag, nationality, language etc. UNGA Resolution 68/262 also affirmed the General Assembly's commitment to the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders: http://bit.ly/1RZGnjo. For further background, read Britannica's article about the history of Kievan Rus and history of the word "Ukraine". The concept of "civil war" in Ukraine is a classic narrative of Russian disinformation about the war in Ukraine. 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 https://www.icc-cpi.int/iccdocs/otp/161114-otp-rep-PE_ENG.pdf