Disinfo: NATO membership will lead Ukraine to disintegration

Summary

Ukraine’s entry into the North Atlantic Alliance will lead to the disintegration of its own statehood. As a result, part of Ukraine’s territory will turn into a security buffer between NATO and the Russian Federation.

Disproof

Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about NATO and Ukraine with no evidence given. This message is an example of a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine being abandoned by its Western partners and the disintegration of Ukraine.

Ukraine is a priority partner for the EU and NATO. Its sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by almost all the world. Neither the EU nor NATO are planning to turn Ukraine into a security buffer.

Relations between NATO and Ukraine date back to the early 1990s and have since developed into one of the most substantial of NATO’s partnerships. Since 2014, in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, cooperation has intensified in critical areas.

The nature of Ukraine’s relationship with the Atlantic Alliance is totally voluntary, as was the country’s participation in NATO missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan. The Enhanced Opportunities Partnership is a tailor-made programme to benefit both sides, not a colonial-style servitude.

Read a similar case: "NATO will use Georgia and Ukraine for provocations against Russia, without giving them full membership".

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 224
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 08/12/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: EU/NATO enlargement, Ukrainian disintegration, Ukrainian statehood, NATO
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Disinfo: Lithuania constantly interferes in the affairs of Belarus

Lithuania constantly interferes into the affairs of Belarus, supporting the opposition and calling for new elections in the neighbouring country. Lithuanian politicians think that the results of the presidential elections in Belarus were “falsified”. The Baltic countries implement personal sanctions against some Belarusian officials, including President Alexander Lukashenko.

Moscow has urged Lithuania many times not to destabilise the situation in the neighbouring country and allow people in Belarus to take matters in their own hands.

The Belarusian authorities have said many times that protests in the country are coordinated from abroad. Lukashenko accuses Western countries of direct interference in the situation in the republic. The US is the main coordinator and Europeans are supporters of the riots in Belarus.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Lithuania and alleged Western attempts to organise a colour revolution in Belarus.

Lithuania is a neighbour of Belarus and it continues to support the Belarusian people. This support has included the possibility for Belarusians to arrive in Lithuania under the so-called humanitarian exception, the possibility for students from Belarus to begin studies in Lithuania etc.

Disinfo: NATO and the US organise constant provocations near Russian borders

NATO’s Secretary General is trying to substantiate NATO’s actions in the region with fabricated pretexts. Recently, the number of aggressive actions by the alliance near the Russian border has significantly increased. It is obvious that NATO’s actions are creating tension in the region. For example, military exercises in Romania and Georgia, or a strong desire to establish a base in Georgia. as well as the constant provocations organised by NATO and the United States.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on NATO belligerence towards Russia and on Russophobia.

Every nation has the right to conduct military exercises, but it is important that they are conducted transparently and in line with international obligations.

Disinfo: Elections in Venezuela were free and fair

The United States and the European Union have once again rushed to denounce the legitimacy of the electoral process several weeks before the polls opened. These allegations could, of course, be very easily confirmed or refuted by sending international observers. But once again, the most powerful countries in the West rejected Maduro’s request to send independent experts. In particular, Brussels set a condition for the delay of the election process, which would be in violation of the Venezuelan constitution which stipulates that elections must be held by the end of the year in order to replace the members of the National Assembly.

Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin media report in support of Venezuela and of the authoritarian Maduro regime. It also aims to discredit international and European criticism to the electoral process and accuse the West and more specifically, the EU, of interference in the country's domestic affairs.

The EU warned the Venezuelan authorities early on about the need to create proper conditions for fair and free elections to be held. The HR/VP of the European Commission Josep Borrell had tried to achieve a consensus between the Maduro regime and the opposition led by Juan Guaido on minimum requirements for elections to be held. These efforts took place as early as last September.