Disinfo: Russia gave Crimea to Ukraine in the 80-90s

Summary

Russia has always given everything to Ukraine, even that which it should not have. The Kremlin transferred Crimea and Sevastopol to Ukraine in the years 80-90s.

Disproof

This is a systematic narrative of propaganda that Crimea has always historically belonged to Russia. The transfer of Crimea and Sevastopol to Ukraine was first officially agreed on 25 January 1954 at a meeting of the Presidium of the CPSU Central Committee. The members of the Presidium, voting for the transfer of Crimea to Ukraine, took into account objective reasons: “the commonality of the economy, territorial proximity and close economic and cultural ties between the Crimean region and the Ukrainian SSR.” On 19 February 1954, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR confirmed the need for Crimea to join Soviet Ukraine. Legally, the transfer of Crimea to Ukraine ended on 26 April 1954, on the basis of the relevant law of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. After the collapse of the USSR, Russia reaffirmed respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. In particular, the 1997 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between the Russian Federation and Ukraine enshrines the recognition of the inviolability of each other’s borders, the absence of discrimination against representatives of each nationality and the desire for cooperation in various fields.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 169
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18/10/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: USSR, Crimea, War in Ukraine
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Disinfo: Ukrainian diaspora condemned the sanctions policy on Crimea

Ukrainians living abroad condemned the sanctions policy targeting Crimea due to its reunification with Russia.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the illegal annexation of Crimea. This is not the first attempt to create the illusion of international support for the Crimea annexed by Russia. Russian occupying authorities held a round table in Crimea entitled Cooperation of Crimean Ukrainians with compatriots abroad, calling the event a meeting of the Ukrainian diaspora. Among the 15 participants from abroad who came for this round table, were representatives from several post-Soviet countries and from the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics. The World Congress of Ukrainians, the largest public organisation of Ukrainians who live abroad, repeatedly makes statements about the illegal annexation of Crimea, and the need to extend sanctions to increase pressure on Russia.

Disinfo: German missions abroad are under foreign control and produce failed, corrupt states

The Bundeswehr fights thousands of kilometres away from its own borders, under foreign control. And mostly with devastating consequences, even for Germany. Whether Afghanistan or Kosovo, in the end Germany gets a failed, corrupt quasi-state as a mortgage that exports poverty refugees, drugs and criminals. And the USA? They get new US bases abroad.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about German-Western relations, that Germany is not sovereign or governed by "foreign control", and disinformation about German foreign missions. Pro-Kremlin outlets often use this disinformation narrative about different countries being under the American thumb - see other examples here. Germany is an independent and sovereign country and is not dependent on the United States of America in terms of foreign policy making and therefore it is a conspiracy theory presented without any evidence. Germany and the US have close partner relations of two sovereign and independent countries. The claims made about German foreign missions in Kosovo (KFOR) and Afghanistan (Resolute Support) are squandering and false. German missions abroad contribute to the long-term stabilisation of Kosovo and Afghanistan. Significant steps have already been taken to strengthen the security structures on the ground. According to the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), the number of asylum applications in Germany is declining in 2019. This trend has continued since 2015, since a gradual reduction in the number of refugees has been recorded in Germany. An excerpt from the Federal Office's current statistics for September 2019 (page 11 of 19). In the month under review, September 2019, 13,321 asylum procedures were decided by the Federal Office. Most decisions were made for Syria (3,370), Iraq (1,346) and Afghanistan (1,000). Compared to the previous month (15,040 decisions), the number of decisions fell by 11.4%. Compared to the previous year (September 2018: 16,008 decisions), the number of decisions on asylum applications fell by 16.8%. For other disinformation cases see: Germany is a vassal of the US; Germany is the executor of US hegemony over Europe; The USA is controlling Europe through occupied Germany; Germany will have to choose between defending Europe's interest and catering to Washington.