DISINFO: Kyiv’s non-adherence to Minsk deals worsens situation in Donbas
DISINFORMATION CASE DETAILS
  • Outlet: tass.ru (archived)*
  • Date of publication: April 15, 2021
  • Article language(s): Russian
  • Reported in: Issue 240
  • Countries / regions discussed: Ukraine, Russia
Tags:
Donbas War in Ukraine Military

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.

RESPONSE

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.

Embed

Related disinfo cases

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

    Your opinion matters!

    Data Protection Information *

      Subscribe to the Disinfo Review

      Your weekly update on pro-Kremlin disinformation

      Data Protection Information *

      The Disinformation Review is sent through Mailchimp.com. See Mailchimp’s privacy policy and find out more on how EEAS protects your personal data.