Disinfo: Kyiv’s non-adherence to Minsk deals worsens situation in Donbas

Summary

Kyiv’s non-adherence to the protocol to the Minsk Agreements is worsening the situation in Donbas. Ukrainian authorities decline to engage in direct dialogue with separatist leaders, and its foreign sponsors support this Ukrainian policy. Together with Kyiv, they are trying to expand the territory of the war zone and portray the current situation as a bilateral conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The situation keeps deteriorating as Kyiv is stepping up its military preparations.

Disproof

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media, trying to put the blame for the recent escalation and Russian military build-up since March-April 2021 around Donbas on Ukraine and the West.

In reality, Point One of the protocol to the Minsk Agreements calls for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire. The pro-Russian separatists have not stopped attacks on Ukrainian positions, so other points of the protocol cannot be fulfilled. Russia does not conceal the fact that it has influence among the separatists and supports them, therefore, Moscow can also be blamed for their unwillingness to stop fighting. 

Ukraine’s Western partners are calling for all the warring parties to cease fire, but Russia is doing nothing to pressurise its proxies into implementing the protocol. This document has also other important points such as the disarmament of all illegal groups, Ukraine’s reinstatement of full control of the state border between the separatist entities and Russia and holding local elections. The separatists’ obvious refusal to stop fighting disables the implementation of all other points of the deal.

What makes things worse is that Russia has been threatening Ukraine with a new invasion under the pretext that Kyiv is preparing for an offensive against the Russian-speaking population in the region. Ukraine is denying it because it is stepping up its military presence in the region just to fend off a possible Russian attack.

Read more disinformation cases about Ukraine’s getting ready for an attack on Donbas and the West’s complicity in the war.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 240
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15/04/2021
  • Article language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: Donbas, War in Ukraine, Military
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Disinfo: NATO and the EU inspire Ukraine to continue with Donbas conflict

NATO is, by all means, urging Ukraine to continue with the conflict in Donbas. It is a military alliance, which should be concerned with security issues. However, it panders to Kyiv. Being in close contact with the Kyiv regime, NATO does not express concern over what is happening in Donbas, egging Kyiv politicians on instead. Children, women and elderly people are dying. The European Union, with its powerful economy, armed forces and intelligence services, is watching what is happening in the very heart of Europe. It is not just watching, it is inspiring the Kyiv regime. The EU has never called on Ukraine to return to the table of negotiations and stop the escalation. The EU has toughened its rhetoric towards Russia.

Disproof

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media about the West’s desire to use Ukraine as a bridgehead for an attack on Russia.

In reality, NATO is not just a military alliance. Being also a political one, it first and foremost strives to prevent conflict. In the case of Ukraine, NATO is trying to help it keep the hostilities from flaring up again. Its members cooperate with Ukraine, hold joint military training, and the United States extends military aid to it so that it can defend its territory from the enemy's attacks. Contrary to pro-Kremlin disinformation reports, NATO member states have never sent their troops to fight in Donbas, nor have they spurred Ukrainian troops into violent action.

Disinfo: Ukraine repeatedly breaks the Minsk Agreements and arranges provocations

Instead of threats, it would be better for Ukraine to follow the Minsk agreements on the settlement of the armed conflict in the east of the country. Kyiv repeatedly breaks them [the Minsk Agreements] and arranges provocations, although it assures that “it does not want war”.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that Ukraine does not adhere to the 2014 Minsk Agreements and ceasefire regime in Donbas.

The implementation of the Minsk agreements remains one of the key priorities of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In a recent address, he mentioned that Ukraine will adhere to all agreements aimed at establishing peace in Donbas.

Disinfo: Polish law-enforcement agencies are the “errand boys” of the Ukrainian special services

The Nowak case showed once again that Polish services, the Prosecution and their political supervisors are, in fact, the “errand boys” of the Ukrainian special services (SBU and NABU). The Polish citizens such as Nowak are arrested in their own country for an act, which is a crime in Ukraine but not necessarily a crime in Poland. This situation shows the deep pathology of the Polish state institutions, which are ready to “grill” the Poles for alleged offences made by the Kyiv authorities. Nowak is the victim of a pathological situation, where the Polish services are actually subordinated not only to the American but even to the Ukrainian services. The Ukrainian law-enforcement agencies and the Prosecution service are probably as corrupt and incompetent as other institutions of this state, which has collapsed long ago.

Disproof

A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative that the United States and other countries, such as Israel or Ukraine, fully shape Poland's foreign and domestic policy (presenting Poland as a “puppet-state” of other countries).

The claim that the Polish law-enforcement agencies appear in “subordination” to the American and Ukrainian special services is untrue.