Disinfo: It’s better for Ukrainians to die than to be saved by cheap Russian vaccine

Summary

Ukraine rejects the cheap Russian vaccine, and prefers to die by suffocation at the hands of the International Monetary Fund, which, due to corruption, refuses to provide it with a loan, against the backdrop of a growing financial disaster, and it goes without saying that: It is better for our citizens to die than to be saved by Russia.

Disproof

A disinformation commentary that exploits the coronavirus pandemic to push a recurring narrative about statehood of Ukraine, and a Russophobic narrative toward the possible Sputnik V vaccine.

Ukraine does not prohibit the usage of the potential “Sputnik V” vaccine just because it is Russian.

In general, The Sputnik-V vaccine has been met with international scepticism and even the World Health Organisation expressed some reservations especially that it hasn’t completed large trials to test the vaccine’s safety and efficacy, and rolling out an inadequately vetted vaccine could endanger people who receive it.

The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was clear when he said: “If someone has a vaccine for COVID-19, Ukraine will buy it”, and he even pointed out the same argument regarding any vaccine from the EU by stating "The EU has confirmed that it will help Ukraine get a real vaccine when it appears and when it does no cast doubts from the scientists."

On the same note, the Ukrainian Health ministry state that the country is already set to receive a COVID-19 vaccine via the COVAX mechanism, an international initiative launched by the World Health Organization, the European Commission, and the government of France to ensure efficient access to COVID-19 vaccines once they are ready.

Regarding the relation with the IMF, there is no evidence that cooperation could threaten the Ukrainian economy and sovereignty. 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.

A new Stand-By Arrangement between the IMF and Ukraine, signed in June 2020, is focused on ensuring macroeconomic stability and coping with COVID-19 pandemic challenges.

See similar disinformation cases alleging that ugly commercial interests are behind the criticism of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine or that WHO confirms the "Sputnik-V" vaccine is safe and effective, or that Ukraine may buy the Russian vaccine against COVID-19 indirectly through EU, or that the IMF define and control Ukraine.

This disinformation message appeared in the same article as the claim that the EU prohibits countries from saving its citizens from COVID-19

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  • Reported in: Issue 224
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 08/12/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Arabic
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: Sputnik V, coronavirus, Volodymyr Zelensky, vaccination, economy, Ukrainian disintegration, WHO, IMF, Ukrainian statehood
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Disinfo: Lithuania constantly interferes in the affairs of Belarus

Lithuania constantly interferes into the affairs of Belarus, supporting the opposition and calling for new elections in the neighbouring country. Lithuanian politicians think that the results of the presidential elections in Belarus were “falsified”. The Baltic countries implement personal sanctions against some Belarusian officials, including President Alexander Lukashenko.

Moscow has urged Lithuania many times not to destabilise the situation in the neighbouring country and allow people in Belarus to take matters in their own hands.

The Belarusian authorities have said many times that protests in the country are coordinated from abroad. Lukashenko accuses Western countries of direct interference in the situation in the republic. The US is the main coordinator and Europeans are supporters of the riots in Belarus.

Dec 07, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Lithuania and alleged Western attempts to organise a colour revolution in Belarus.

Lithuania is a neighbour of Belarus and it continues to support the Belarusian people. This support has included the possibility for Belarusians to arrive in Lithuania under the so-called humanitarian exception, the possibility for students from Belarus to begin studies in Lithuania etc.

Disinfo: NATO and the US organise constant provocations near Russian borders

NATO’s Secretary General is trying to substantiate NATO’s actions in the region with fabricated pretexts. Recently, the number of aggressive actions by the alliance near the Russian border has significantly increased. It is obvious that NATO’s actions are creating tension in the region. For example, military exercises in Romania and Georgia, or a strong desire to establish a base in Georgia. as well as the constant provocations organised by NATO and the United States.

Dec 07, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on NATO belligerence towards Russia and on Russophobia.

Every nation has the right to conduct military exercises, but it is important that they are conducted transparently and in line with international obligations.

Disinfo: Elections in Venezuela were free and fair

The United States and the European Union have once again rushed to denounce the legitimacy of the electoral process several weeks before the polls opened. These allegations could, of course, be very easily confirmed or refuted by sending international observers. But once again, the most powerful countries in the West rejected Maduro’s request to send independent experts. In particular, Brussels set a condition for the delay of the election process, which would be in violation of the Venezuelan constitution which stipulates that elections must be held by the end of the year in order to replace the members of the National Assembly.

Dec 07, 2020
Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin media report in support of Venezuela and of the authoritarian Maduro regime. It also aims to discredit international and European criticism to the electoral process and accuse the West and more specifically, the EU, of interference in the country's domestic affairs.

The EU warned the Venezuelan authorities early on about the need to create proper conditions for fair and free elections to be held. The HR/VP of the European Commission Josep Borrell had tried to achieve a consensus between the Maduro regime and the opposition led by Juan Guaido on minimum requirements for elections to be held. These efforts took place as early as last September.