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Disinfo: Hypocritical Lithuanian political elite maintains anti-Russian position to detriment of the economy

Summary

The statements of the Lithuanian political elites do not coincide with economic reality. Russia is still a major export partner for Lithuania. National business always was interested in cooperation with Russia. But political elites keep the anti-Russian position. They support sanctions to Russia, develop anti-Russian rhetoric.

The political elite of Lithuania is hypocritic. They understand the importance of the Russian market but have no courage to be independent, trying to please others.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about alleged Russophobia in Lithuania.

Statistically, Russia is a major export partner for Lithuania, but in TOP-10 of states, where Lithuania exports goods, 6 countries belong to the EU. The majority of good exported to Russia are not of the Lithuanian origin. In the sphere of import biggest cooperation are with Poland and Germany. In the sphere of facilities, the biggest export partners of Lithuania are Germany and France. Therefore, the main economical partner of Lithuania is the European Union. Lithuania is a member of the EU and trades in its single market. See here, here and here other examples of disinformation against Lithuania related to the economy.

The implementation of the EU sanctions against Russia shows the values of Lithuania and its support for international law and human rights. The imposition of sanctions on Russia was a reaction to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and the deliberate destabilisation of Ukraine.

In 2017 Lithuanian Parliament adopted the Magnitsky legislation. This legislation bans entry to Lithuania of foreigners involved in large-scale corruption, money laundering or human rights violation. Russia interprets it as a hostile step from the side of Lithuania.

Pro-Kremlin disinformation frequently misrepresents Lithuania as Russophobic. See similar examples in the statements that Lithuania is afflicted by total Russophobia or that Russophobia is the main export of Lithuania.

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publication/media

Sputnik Lithuania (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 225
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14/12/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Lithuanian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Lithuania, Russia
  • Keywords: economy, Anti-Russian, Puppets, Sanctions, Russophobia
see more

International Criminal Court demonises Russia in the Ukrainian conflict

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is trying not only to make Russia a participant in the conflict but also to impose on Russia the duties of an “occupying power” both in relation to Crimea (she directly writes: “Russia’s annexation of Crimea”) and in relation to the eastern regions of Ukraine.

The prosecutor fulfils an order for the legal demonisation of Russia in the Ukrainian conflict. And she does it legally so rudely that there is no doubt about the unscrupulous nature of her actions.

The individuals who committed a coup d’etat in the country and used violence against a part of their own population are regarded in The Hague as legitimate authority!

Dec 13, 2020
Disproof

This is an example of recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation on Ukraine and, in particular, the examination by the International Criminal Court of the crimes committed in Ukraine during the 2013-2014 protests in Crimea and Donbas.

The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) did not demonise Russia. The Prosecutor did not call Russia an occupying power in Crimea or Donbas. In the statement, the Prosecutor mentioned that in order to establish the truth, the ICC is going to cooperate with the authorities of Ukraine and Russia equally.

AstraZeneca fails to create a vaccine without Russia

AstraZeneca, realising that they, the British, do not succeed with their vaccine, took a reasonable step and said: let’s be together. And now they are working with the Russian Direct Investment Fund to really be able to fight the coronavirus.

Dec 13, 2020
Disproof

A narrative, overstating the cooperation between the Gamaleya Research Institute and British AstraZeneca.

AstraZeneca's Russian subsidiary announced that it plans to begin a clinical trial programme to assess the safety and immunogenicity of a combination of COVID-19 vaccines (AZD1222, developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and Sputnik V, developed by Russian Gamaleya Research institute).

Sanctions are unproductive because Russia is not a part in the Ukrainian conflict

Heads of EU Member States agreed to extend sanctions against Russia. The relations between Moscow and West had deteriorated due to the situation in Ukraine. After the referendum, Crimea became part of the Russian Federation. West accused Russia of interference into affairs of Ukraine and implemented sanctions against Moscow. Russia answered and changed the vector of import. Russian authorities stressed that negotiations with Russia from positions of sanctions are unproductive. Russia many times affirmed that it does not participate in the Ukrainian conflict and is not a side in Minsk peace agreements.

Dec 11, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation about the war in Ukraine, illegal annexation of Crimea and Western sanctions against Russia.

Crimea is a part of Ukraine, however, it was illegally annexed by Russia. The so-called referendum of March 16, 2014, was illegitimate under international law. No international body recognises it. Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted that the plan to annex Crimea was ordered weeks before the so-called referendum.