Disinfo: Debates on Russian TV are free unlike in France

Summary

Although Russia is always accused of being authoritarian and crushing opponents, debate in media is much freer. In the “Poedinok” (“The Duel”) talkshow different opinions are debated and even though the anchor is known to be pro-Putin, he still invites people with different views to the show and is extremely polite to them. For example, Ukrainian fanatics were invited to the show, saying Russians are barbarians. In France everything is controlled. People who are against the European Union are not invited to TV shows and that is a very bad sign for the regime. We can hardly speak of pluralism in France.

Disproof

Regarding freedom of speech, Russia is ranked 148th and France 33rd by Reporters without borders. Freedom House agrees stating the press in Russia is not free, unlike the French press. Ukrainians have indeed participated in the "Poedinok" show. Their treatment by the host was not polite and respectful. An example from the show from October 29, 2018: one of the Ukrainian guests is asked: “What is the name of the station in Kiev, from which trains go to Moscow?” - “Central station.” - “It is not closed yet?” - “No.” - “So you have a way out!” (Laughter, applause.) Presenter: “I want to remind you that the Crimea was annexed by Russia completely legally. Who was the president of Ukraine then? Yanukovych! But he did not express any objections.” Ukrainian guest: “My grandfather died at the front!” Presenter: “Yes, your grandfather would have risen from the grave and would have driven you to his grave with his tibial bone!” The presenter is literally yelling: "Germans don't try to whitewash their criminals. They don't make them national heroes (like Ukraine)." The situation in Russian media is also described in this article. See more on general narrative of the Russian media on "nazis ruling in Ukraine".

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  • Reported in: Issue 136
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 08/02/2019
  • Outlet language(s) French
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: France, Russia
  • Keywords: Freedom of speech, Media
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Disinfo: Russia has never initiated a military conflict

Russia does not threaten “any country in the world” and has never initiated a military conflict. Russia always acts as a peacemaker in solving complicated international problems.

Feb 07, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about peaceful Russia that contains disinformation about the war in Ukraine and war in Georgia. Since 1991 Russia was involved in several international conflicts, including intervention in neighboring states, such as Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine in 2014. Many international organizations condemned the Russian occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, see e.g. the OSCE statements here and here and European Parliament's declaration. More information to Russian invasion in Georgia is provided here. It was also Russia that provoked a war in Ukraine. 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". Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted military presence of Russia in Ukraine in 2015. In 2014 Russia also annexed a part of Ukrainian territory - Crimean peninsula. The so-called referendum on the peninsula was organised in a matter of weeks by a self-proclaimed Crimean leadership lacking democratic legitimacy and installed by armed Russian military personnel following the seizure of public buildings. The EU does not recognise it. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution No. 68/262, adopted on 27 March 2014 and supported by 100 states, clearly says that Russia's actions in Crimea as well as the referendum held in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea violate international law. Any decision relating to Ukraine's sovereignty or sovereign choices can only be taken without undue external pressure.

Disinfo: Ukrainian society does not support accession to the EU and NATO

NATO is supported by no more than 40-42% of citizens; 34-36% are strongly against NATO. Half of the country’s population supports accession to the EU, but one third is against.

Feb 07, 2019
Disproof

The latest sociological research shows that accession to NATO and the EU is supported by the majority of those who have made up their minds. For instance, in research made in January by the Rating Group, 44% of the respondents voted for accession to NATO, whereas 30% were against. 10% said they won’t vote if the question would be on a referendum, 17% could not answer. The same is with the support for the EU. The majority, 53%, of the respondents support the EU. The Tax Union of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan is supported only by 13%. To compare, in March 2012 the latter was supported by 43%, whereas the EU by 36%. According to a December poll by Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, the EU is supported by 59% of the respondents. The support for the EU is rising: from 57% in 2014 to 59% in 2017. On the opposite, the Tax Union is supported by 12,5%. The majority support the EU in Western (88%) and Central Ukraine (70%). The respondents from Southern Ukraine also prefer the EU (41% vs 12%). Only in Eastern Ukraine 33% of respondents want to have closer relations with Russia, while with the EU 27%. But almost half of the respondents (47% in Southern and 40% in Eastern) are not sure about the choice. Is also mentioned that out of the 69% who are willing to take part in a referendum on accession to NATO, 70% would vote in favour of accession, 28% would vote against. NATO is supported by the majority in all regions, except the East. According to Socis Centre poll, only 8% of respondents support orientation towards Russia; 42,8% support orientation to the West and 44,7% believe Ukraine should choose own way of development without orientation towards either the West or the East. Accession to NATO is supported by 45,5%, while 29,4% are against the accession. Accession to the EU is supported by 58,3%, whereas 21,3% would vote against.

Disinfo: The US has violated the INF Treaty for years

The US has been violating the INF Treaty for years. By violating INF Treaty obligations, the US created the conditions for Russia’s production of missiles prohibited by this Treaty. The US has never provided evidence to Russia about its compliance with the INF Treaty in the three above-mentioned areas.

Feb 07, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative that the US is responsible for the demise of the INF Treaty. The US government has issued detailed rebuttals of Russian accusations of US non-compliance with INF Treaty. Moreover, the US has repeatedly engaged Russian officials in multiple venues, including the Treaty’s Special Verification Commission [SVC] to explain why US actions in these areas are in full compliance with the INF Treaty. In December 2017, NATO affirmed that the US is in full compliance with the INF Treaty, and that Russia possesses a new missile system that generated “serious concerns”. Neither EU, nor any EU Member State is a part of the INF Treaty. Nevertheless, the Treaty has been a cornerstone of European security architecture. The EU High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini's remarks on the challenges to the INT Treaty can be read here. See more about the case here and further background here and here.