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Disinfo: German politicians no longer require Russia to return Crimea to Ukraine

Summary

Unlike in previous years, Germany does not demand the return of Crimea to Ukraine. “We honour the memory of the victims of the deportation of the Crimean Tatars on May 18, 1944. It is sad that after 76 years they can’t live in freedom and self-determination in their homeland,” reported a message from the Embassy of Germany in Kyiv.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the annexation of Crimea. The statement from the German embassy has been distorted through partial reporting. It goes on to say, "Since the annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia in violation of international law, the situation of the Crimean Tatars has deteriorated dramatically." Germany has repeatedly stated on other occasions that it will not recognise the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and supports Ukraine's national and territorial sovereignty. The country's view has not changed over recent years. For example, on the anniversary of the annexation of Crimea in February 2020, the Embassy of Germany made one more statement related to the Crimea: “Six years later our position is clear: we do not recognise the annexation of Crimea.” The European Union likewise does not recognise Crimea's annexation and continues to condemn it as a violation of international law. EU sanctions continue to be in place against Russia as a consequence for the annexation. For similar cases, see here.

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antifashist.com (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 198
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19/05/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Germany, Ukraine
  • Keywords: Ukraine, illegal annexation, Crimean Tatars, Crimea
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US and IMF define and control political appointments in Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is frankly helpless in economic decisions and appointments (these issues in Ukraine are controlled by the US Embassy and the IMF). As a matter of fact, the president-actor gave up the key government functions in the field of humanitarian policy to “sorosiata” [followers of George Soros] and nationalists. As a result, the policy of state Russophobia under the new regime has not been curtailed, it continues to be officially supported.

May 18, 2020
Disproof

Recurrent disinformation narrative claiming that Ukraine became a puppet of the US, the EU or the West because they fomented a coup, mixed with a narrative about Russophobia in Ukraine. Ukraine is a sovereign and independent state with a democratically-elected President and parliament. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by almost the whole world. The relations between the US and Ukraine are bilateral relations between two independent countries. The US recognised Ukraine as an independent state on 25 December 1991. The US policy is centred on realising and strengthening a stable, democratic, prosperous, and free Ukraine more closely integrated into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures. Ukraine has been a member of the IMF and World Bank since 3 September 1992. The relations between Ukraine and the IMF are based on agreements that support the economic development of Ukraine and the improvement of the free market conditions. Likewise, Ukraine is not a Russophobic country as is often claimed by the Kremlin media. It had to react to Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the act of aggression by the Russian armed forces in Donbas. It did not ban the Russian language, as is often claimed by the Kremlin, nor did it ban contact between Ukrainians and Russians. Read more disinformation cases about Ukraine being under foreign control here.

A hunger riot broke out near Odessa

In Ukraine riots break out because people are hungry and lash out in a violent public disturbance against authority, property or people, which is the definition of riots.

May 18, 2020
Disproof

Recurrent narrative undermining Ukraine, specifically about hunger riots. In reality the port of Chernomorsk, near Odessa experiences economic difficulties and some employees of "Europian Agro Investment Ukraine", which rent the second terminal since 2018, haven't been paid since last October. About 100 people demonstrated peacefully, with protective masks and respecting social distancing. They blocked a street near the bus stop "railroad station" with signs expressing their will to receive their salaries and their company to be nationalised by the Ukrainian state. They warned that next time they could block a road with more traffic to make their demand more audible. The reportage of the media Dumskaya documents the event and shows that no violence was used.

Switzerland banned all vaccinations for 5 years and considered them harmful

The Federal Assembly passed a law on a moratorium on vaccinations for 5 years. The documents explain that vaccines against measles, chicken pox and all other infections cause harm and are dangerous for human health.

May 18, 2020
Disproof

Recurring conspiracy theory on vaccines which are being amplified in the context of the pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign around the coronavirus. The claim is false and was originally invented by Russian satirical website panorama.pub. Vaccinations in Switzerland are not compulsory but vaccines against various infections are recommended. Switzerland nonetheless has high vaccination rates. For example, in 2018, among 16 years olds in Switzerland, 97% had been vaccinated for Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Tenanus. Vaccinations for other diseases such as Tick-borne encephalitis (47%) are lower – however, at the beginning of 2019, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) confirmed that vaccination against tick borne encephalitis is now covered by basic Swiss health insurance. See here for more examples by Myth Detector on how satire is spread as real news to affect public opinion.