Disinfo: Russia is not a part of the conflict in Ukraine

Summary

Russia repeatedly stressed that it is not a party of the conflict in Ukraine and not a subject of the Minsk agreements on the Ukrainian regime.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine and the war in Ukraine.

There is irrefutable evidence of direct Russian military involvement in Eastern Ukraine. The EU condemns the clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity by acts of aggression by the Russian armed forces since February 2014.

The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has stated that “the information available suggests that the situation within the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol amounts to an international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. This international armed conflict began at the latest on 26 February 2014 when the Russian Federation deployed members of its armed forces to gain control over parts of the Ukrainian territory without the consent of the Ukrainian Government."

The European Union stated in July 2014 that "arms and fighters continue flowing into Ukraine from the Russian Federation". At the NATO Summit in Wales in September 2014 and at successive summits since then, NATO leaders condemned Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine in the strongest terms and demanded that Russia stop and withdraw its forces from Ukraine and along the country’s border. NATO leaders also demanded that Russia complies with international law and its international obligations and responsibilities; end its illegitimate occupation of Crimea; refrain from aggressive actions against Ukraine; halt the flow of weapons, equipment, people and money across the border to the separatists; and stop fomenting tension along and across the Ukrainian border.

In 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted Russia's military presence in Ukraine.

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Sputnik Germany (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 166
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23/09/2019
  • Outlet language(s) German
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: Eastern Ukraine, Minsk agreements, War in Ukraine
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Disinfo: Zelenskyy stands for sanctions because it is a US initiative

Rightly, they claim why Zelenskyy stands for sanctions. Of course, he will advocate sanctions. After all, sanctions are an initiative of the American Congress and the Senate. How can the President of Ukraine say no, when the American Congress, the European community speak of sanctions?

Sep 22, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine's alleged dependence on its Western partners. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Ukraine is seen by the West as an anti-Russian project. Ukraine's current foreign policy towards Russia is not a result of western anti-Russian strategy but of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, including its annexation of Crimea and the Russian military presence in Donbas. Ukraine is a sovereign and independent state with a democratically-elected president and parliament. The EU and US support the democratic development of Ukraine in accordance with the UN Charter’s principles of non-interference into internal affairs and respect towards territorial integrity and political independence.

Disinfo: Ukraine would apply to join the United States

If they (Ukrainians – ed.) decide to join the United States, there is no one to convince them otherwise. They will gladly switch to English language… You say, why wouldn’t they do it in another place? Ukrainians are such outsiders. They were exhausted with the Poles, then with the Russians, then with the Hungarians, then with the Romanians, then with the Austrians.

Sep 22, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine and Ukrainian statehood.

Ukraine is a sovereign state. The US is not controlling Ukraine, and Ukraine has no plans to join the US. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by most of the free world but is violated by Russia. The relations between the US and Ukraine represent bilateral cooperation between two independent countries. The US recognised Ukraine as an independent state on 25 December 1991. U.S. policy is centred on realising and strengthening a stable, democratic, prosperous, and free Ukraine more closely integrated into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures.

Disinfo: The EU does not accept Ukraine and is not even allowing its products into its markets

They call and promise (to join the European Union), but in fact they do not even expand relations in matters of duty-free trade. There are quotas for Ukraine’s account, which end from time to time … Europe could help Ukraine economically, just allow them to enter its market. But it doesn’t. Europe hides behind a mythical position of agricultural standards.

Sep 22, 2019
Disproof

Another recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on Ukraine and its relations with the European Union. In June 2014, the EU and Ukraine signed an Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which promotes deeper political ties, stronger economic links and respect for common values. See here for more details about EU-Ukraine relations. The total trade turnout increased to 50 billon USD in 2018. During 2015-2018, Ukraine also increased its exports to the EU from 13 billon USD to 23 billion USD. Overall, in 2018, Ukrainian exports to the EU increased by 13.1%. Now, the EU accounts for almost half of Ukrainian exports. See here for further information about the DCFTA and the cooperation between the EU and Ukraine.