Disinfo: Poroshenko leaves legacy of war, poverty, Russophobia

Summary

The legacy of Petro Poroshenko, who is approaching the end of his five-year presidential term, is marred by war, economic decline, and Russophobic policies.

A recent New York Times op-ed hails the “reforms” which the outgoing Ukrainian leader supposedly spearheaded — the same reforms which left 13,000 people dead and caused the economy to shrink by 15% in two years.

Moreover, the works of 500 Russian writers have been banned in Ukraine. A further 1,000 Russian artists are prohibited from entering the country,

Disproof

Recurring disinformation narrative painting Ukraine as a disintegrating, Russia-hating, artificial state.

The cynical notion that Ukrainian leaders are to blame for the 13,000 deaths recorded to date in the Russia-Ukraine conflict -- a covert war of aggression launched by Moscow in spring 2014 -- fits the wider pro-Kremlin narrative on the ongoing hostilities in the Donbas.

The economic free-fall which marked the first years of the Poroshenko presidency has also been linked to the armed conflict, as well as the Russian annexation of Crimea, where plundered industrial facilities and enterprises, losses in labour force, and ruined infrastructure continue to generate billions of dollars in losses annually. Incidentally, the above-mentioned figure of 15% roughly corresponds to the economic output of Crimea and the Donbas before their illegal occupation by Russia (ibid., p. 1).

Russians writers are not banned in Ukraine. In May 2017, the Ukrainian parliament adopted a law dictating that the import and sale of books originating in Russia be subject to approval by a relevant state body, and mandating the withdrawal from sale of a number of books advancing anti-Ukrainian propaganda, historical revisionism, and Russian irredentism. An overwhelming majority of Russian literature is freely available for purchase.

The statement on banned "Russian" artists is a gross manipulation of both facts and figures. In accordance with a 2015 law, the Ukrainian Culture Ministry publishes a list of "cultural figures whose actions threaten the national security of Ukraine." As of March 2019, the list contains 148 names -- not 1,000 -- and is not limited to Russians.

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Reported in: Issue 148
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 29/04/2019
Language/target audience: English
Country: Russia, Ukraine
Keywords: economy, Anti-Russian, Ukrainian disintegration, Economic difficulties, War in Ukraine, Russophobia, Donbas, Petro Poroshenko, Ukrainian statehood
Outlet: RT

Lithuania is occupied by NATO

Lithuania is a NATO-occupied country.

May 07, 2019

Disproof

This message is a conspiracy consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the Baltic states under external control. Lithuania made a sovereign decision to become part of NATO, joining on the 29 March 2004 by depositing their instruments of accession with the United States Government. Lithuania’s membership in NATO is based upon the provision set forth in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania: “to guarantee the security and independence of the country, welfare of the citizens and their fundamental rights and liberties”.

Generally, lost sovereignty is one of the most common pro-Kremlin propaganda narratives. Pro-Kremlin disinformation sources like to claim that certain countries are no longer truly sovereign. Examples of this narrative are numerous: Ukraine is ruled by foreigners, the Baltic states are not really countries, the EU is directed by Washington.

Russia is not a party in the conflict in the East of Ukraine

It should be noted that Russia, contrary to the opinion of these observers, is not a party in the conflict in the East of Ukraine, but acts only as a guarantor of the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

May 07, 2019

Disproof

Recurring Kremlin narrative about a lack of evidence of the presence of Russian troops involved in war in the East of Ukraine.

There is irrefutable evidence of direct Russian military involvement in eastern Ukraine.

There is overwhelming evidence of direct US support of jihadist groups in Syria

In Syria, there is overwhelming evidence of direct US support of Jihadist groups from Al Nusra to ISIS, as shown by the declassified DIA documents and by statements of members from the US establishment.

May 07, 2019

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the US supporting or working together with jihadist groups. There is no evidence that US has supported Daesh, al-Nusra or other Jihadist groups in Syria. The US-led military campaign in Syria has been fighting ISIS and Islamic terrorists along with the Global Coalition Against Daesh. Background and a similar case here and here.