Disinfo: Green energy is a scam, Gazprom is safer

Summary

Alternative energy is a scam. For example, you can see in Germany many solar panels, which are covering fertile fields. And to compensate for the land, Germany had to go to Ukraine. Or, another example is wind power. It generates infrasound which is also damaging for ecology.

The gas crisis was allegedly provoked by its small reserves. Therefore, no more gas is needed - it must be abandoned altogether... Von der Leyen did not mention that the price of green generation, although stable, is still steadily high in comparison to what Gazprom could offer on the basis of long-term contracts.

Disproof

A series of pro-Kremlin media reports on how harmful green energy is followed after the EU's criticism of the Russian 2021 Duma elections. The same pro-Kremlin outlets clearly articulated threats of increasing natural gas prices for the EU, what indeed happened.

In 2019, renewable energy represented 19.7% of the energy consumed in the EU-27, only 0.3% short of the 2020 target of 20%. The Renewable Energy Directive sets rules for the EU to achieve its 32% renewables target by 2030.

Scientific studies do not confirm the pro-Kremlin media claim on the harmful effects of renewable energy. For wind turbines, the ongoing studies demonstrate that finding the right place is vital. The American Wind Energy Association said the vast majority of studies show fewer bird deaths from wind turbines when compared to other causes of death. Also, there are no plans to cover significant areas of fertile land with solar panels. Floating solar farms are supposed to be used.

See other disinformation related to Europe's energy supply here.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 263
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 10/10/2021
  • Article language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: EU, Europe
  • Keywords: gas, Energy
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Disinfo: The 2014 events in Ukraine were a coup d'état

The relationship between the Russian Federation and Ukraine deteriorated in 2014 after a coup d'état in Ukraine. Kyiv also launched a military operation against Donbas, whose citizens did not agree with the changes in power. Crimean authorities held a referendum about the reunification with Russia. Nearly 97% of Crimean voters and 96% of the citizens of Sevastopol have articulated their wish to reunite the peninsula with Russia.

Disproof

The events in Ukraine in 2014 were not a coup d'état but rather a series of demonstrations which began in November 2013 on Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti) in Kyiv. The protests, also known as Maidan or Euromaidan, first began as a reaction to President Yanukovych’s refusal to continue with Ukraine-EU talks on the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU. The demonstrations later turned violent with many injured and even dead. Although pro-Kremlin media have been persistent in calling these events a coup, it cannot be labelled as one.

In Eastern Ukraine, Russia fuelled the separatist conflict with financial and military support, making Russia internationally recognised as a party to the conflict, not a mediator.

Disinfo: Russia did not commit to protect Ukraine's territorial integrity

Russia did not commit to force some Ukrainian territories, against the will of its people, to stay as part of Ukraine.

Disproof

Recurring disinformation claim that is part of a wider pro-Kremlin narrative aimed at making previous Russian security guarantees to Ukraine insignificant.

Following the collapse of the USSR, Russia did make international promises to keep Ukraine's territorial integrity to which the most telling example is the case of the Budapest Memorandum. The Memorandum was signed in December 1994 by Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Under the Memorandum, Ukraine promised to remove all Soviet-era nuclear weapons, which Ukraine received after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. In exchange, the leaders of the United States, Russia and the United Kingdom signed the Budapest Memorandum with guarantees of the integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

Disinfo: The US is pushing NATO to the East and persuades allies to die for nothing

The US continues to implement the enlargement of NATO to the East. Americans assert that Russia is a threat to the Eastern flank of the Alliance. Not everyone in NATO wants to die for the US in the war with Russia for Crimea or the Arctic. But the US has the capability to persuade. For example, in Afghanistan, NATO's allies fought for nothing for 20 years and were left with nothing.

Disproof

A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative presenting the US as master of NATO, while allies are its puppets.

NATO has 30 member states. The aim of NATO is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.