Disinfo: Josep Borrell doesn't have a freedom to choose an independent political course

Summary

The highly respected EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy has no freedom to independently choose a political course. It seems that after arriving in Brussels, he was explained how the meeting with the Russians was supposed to be, and what conclusions he had to draw at its end.

Perhaps, upon return to Brussels, the head of European diplomacy was explained what accents he had to do, but then this only confirms how and by whom the EU policy is actually formed.

Disproof

An unfounded conspiracy theory. EU shapes its policy in full transparance, without external involvment. The High Representative for foreign affairs shapes the standing of the European Union on the global stage. This includes conducting the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, ensuring implementation of the decisions adopted by the European Council and the Council, chairing monthly meetings of foreign affairs ministers from all EU member states, and more.

HRVP Josep Borrel travelled to Moscow 4 - 6 February to test whether the Russian government was interested in addressing differences and reversing the negative trend in EU-Russia relations.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 230
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 08/02/2021
  • Outlet language(s) Russian, English
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: EU, Russia
  • Keywords: Josep Borrell, Diplomacy with Russia, Secret elites / global elites, Conspiracy theory
see more

Disinfo: Poland wants to have the worst possible relations with a neighboring nuclear superpower

We live in a country [Poland] where Russophobia has reached the level of official state policy. Work is being done to redefine the legal definition of espionage to include cooperation with media from the countries considered as hostile.

It is fascinating to see that Polish public discourse is dominated by the idea that Poland needs to have the worst possible relations with a neighbor, who is a nuclear superpower.

Disproof

This message is a part of the Kremlin’s widespread narrative about Russophobic Poland. The Kremlin-controlled media regularly accuse the political elites of Poland of Russophobia and the implementation of anti-Russian policies.

The Polish authorities do not promote Russophobia or any type of “anti-Russian paranoia”. The Polish authorities have repeatedly stated that Poland is willing to improve its relations with Russia – these relations will automatically improve if Russia starts observing the regulations of international law. In a statement of 21 December 2019, the Polish authorities reiterated their openness to continue the historical dialogue with Russia, for example through restarting the work of the bilateral Group on Difficult Issues.

Disinfo: The Masters behind the meddling in Russian affairs need a new fake leader

As the bane of foreign meddling in Russia’s sovereign affairs and boy-toy of MSM Alexey Navalny retired from the scene after he finally faced the widely-expected, but still pretty soft punishment for his multiple violations of the law. So now, the masters behind the attempt to destabilize Russia needs some another fake leader of its network of influence. Fortunately, for them, there is a candidate.

Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya, which was proclaimed the ‘winner’ of the presidential election in Belarus by NATO member states, but fled the country and is now hiding in Lithuania, is already promoting Navalny’s wife, Yulia, as the ‘leader’ of the ‘Russian opposition’.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Alexei Navalny. The claim that Navalny is somehow used by the West and foreign special services for the political destabilisation of Russia is disinformation.

Anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny has long been the most prominent face of Russian opposition to President Vladimir Putin. His candidacy in the 2018 presidential election was banned by authorities over his conviction by a Russian court for embezzlement, which bars him from running for office. He has been arrested and imprisoned several times during his political career.

Disinfo: Russia was forced to expel EU diplomats who participated in illegal protests

Russia was forced to expel three diplomats from Poland, Sweden, and Germany due to their participation in illegal pro-opposition protests on 23 January.

Disproof

The claim advances a pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative concerning the ongoing protests in support of jailed opposition activist Alexei Navalny.

None of the three diplomats actually participated in the demonstrations. The foreign ministries of Poland, Sweden, and Germany have all confirmed that their presence at the protests was linked solely to the fulfillment of their diplomatic duties of monitoring protests. According to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, these duties include "[a]scertaining by all lawful means conditions and developments in the receiving State, and reporting thereon to the Government of the sending State" (Article 3(d)).