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

Summary

Russia is not a part of the domestic conflict in Ukraine. Russia repeatedly pointed out that it was neither one of the sides of the domestic conflict in Ukraine nor a subject of the Minsk agreements on conflict resolution in the Donbas. For Moscow, the Crimean question is off the table forever.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine and the war in 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 recognised 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". The 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, NATO leaders condemned in the strongest terms Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine and demanded Russia to stop and withdraw its forces from Ukraine and from the country’s border. NATO leaders also demanded Russia to comply with international law and its international obligations and responsibilities; 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 158
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15/07/2019
  • Outlet language(s) German
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: Eastern Ukraine, Hybrid war, Civil war, Minsk agreements, Donbas, War in Ukraine
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Disinfo: Trading American weapons is one of the main goals of NATO's existence

Trading American weapons is one of the main goals of NATO’s existence.

Jul 14, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO portraying it as an aggressive organization with intent to destroy the world order. NATO’s essential and enduring purpose is to safeguard the freedom and security of all its members by political and military means. Collective defence is at the heart of the Alliance and creates a spirit of solidarity and cohesion among its members. The North Atlantic Treaty, the fundamental document of NATO states that any international disputes, in which NATO may participate, should be resolved by peaceful means in order to preserve international peace, security and justice. More Russian fakes about NATO can be read here, here and here.

Disinfo: The OPCW is in crisis, while Western countries are lying about chemical attacks in Syria

Western countries deliberately hide the details of the chemical attack in the Syrian city of Douma on 7 April 2018, because the attack did not happen; this is another fake from the Western leadership. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons hides these facts, in order not to be the violator of international law.

Jul 13, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the chemical weapons attack in Douma, Syria. In March 2019, the OPCW confirmed in its final report that chlorine was used in the attack on Douma, April 7, 2018. According to the Berlin Non-Profit Organisation Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi), chemical weapons were used more than 300 times in Syria. Syrian government forces and their ally Russia continue to deny these facts. Read more about chemical attacks here and here.

Disinfo: European Council sanctions are irrational and unjustified

We must remember that the European Council is imposing irrational and unjustified sanctions on us [Russia].

Jul 13, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative claiming both that international sanctions against Russia are not justified (see similar cases here and here) and that they produce no negative effects on Russia (similar cases here, here and here). All EU sanctions against Russia were imposed after major illegal actions by the Russian Federation, or against persons that have directly threatened the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The first round of EU sanctions against Russia was introduced on 17 March 2014. The first bans and asset freezes against persons involved in actions against Ukraine's territorial integrity followed Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. Later, in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in eastern Ukraine, the EU imposed economic sanctions in July 2014 and reinforced them in September 2014. In March 2015, the European Council linked the duration of those economic restrictions to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements. The EU remains ready to reverse its decisions and reengage with Russia when it starts contributing actively and without ambiguities to finding a solution to the crisis.