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Disinfo: “Maidan” was conceived by Washington for the sole purpose of deploying its military facilities in Crimea

Summary

There is a theory that “Maidan” was conceived in Washington for the sole purpose of deploying its military facilities directly at Russian borders, in particular in Crimea.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about Ukraine's statehood which claims that protests in the country were organised by the US and the West.

The demonstrations which began in Kyiv in November 2013 – called "Maidan" or "Euromaidan" – were not provoked from outside but were a result of the Ukrainian people's frustration with former President Yanukovych's last-minute policy U-turn, when after seven years of negotiations, he refused to sign the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement. More cases on this topic here.

The claim that NATO or the US was planning to base ships and missiles in Crimea is fiction. The idea has never been proposed, suggested or discussed within NATO. In the Statement by the North Atlantic Council on Crimea on 18 March 2019, NATO condemned Russia's ongoing and wide-ranging military build-up in Crimea, and expressed concern by Russia's efforts and stated plans for a further military build-up in the Black Sea region.

See a similar case: After the Maidan, Crimea was supposed to become a NATO or US naval base.

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publication/media

life.ru
  • Reported in: Issue183
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 05/02/2020
  • Language/target audience: Russian
  • Country: Russia, Ukraine, US
  • Keywords: Ukraine, Encircling Russia, Euromaidan, Crimea

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.

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When it comes to Russia, Europe does not adhere to values

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe coolly responded to the situation around Sputnik Estonia. When it comes to Russia, Europe does not consider it necessary to adhere to values. Europeans most likely understand that this is a part of big politics. A big process, and not just a whim of the Estonian authorities.

February 06, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the undemocratic EU and on the failed European values. As well as a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the West's deliberate anti-Russian activities and double standards. The message also contents a narrative about big conspiracy, claiming that there is a shadow policy towards Russia, and countries obediently follow that.

During the PACE winter session, the executive director of Russia Today and editor-in-chief of Sputnik Estonia claimed that there is no freedom of speech in Estonia, there is total censorship.

Poland seeks to be the main US outpost in its aggressive policy towards Russia

Poland has difficult relations with the EU countries. For Poland, it is important to have approval primarily from the United States. It is no coincidence that military cooperation between Poland and the United States intensified. Poland seeks to take the position that West Germany took in Europe during the Cold War: the position of the main US outpost in its aggressive policy towards Russia.

February 06, 2020
Disproof

A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on “lost sovereignty”, Russophobia,  as well as a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative that the United States fully controls the foreign policy of Poland.

Poland is often presented by pro-Kremlin outlets as a “puppet-state” of the United States. This narrative includes a message that the United States manipulates Poland and other European allies in order to carry out its anti-Russian policies. The statement that Poland is used by the United States to inspire a conflict with Russia is a conspiracy theory. Poland is a sovereign state, which shapes its own foreign and domestic policies.

Crimean people voted democratically and legitimately to reunite with Russia

The Crimean people voted in favour of unity with Russia in a democratic manner and in accordance with international laws and the Charter of the United Nations.

February 06, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the annexation of Crimea claiming that Crimean citizens chose to rejoin Russia through a legal referendum.

No international body, including the UN, recognises the so-called referendum, announced on the 27th of February 2014, and held on 16th of March 2014. A year after the illegal annexation, Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted that the plan to annex Crimea was ordered weeks before the so-called referendum.