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Disinfo: The Baltics have lost industry, agriculture, and population as a result of EU membership

Summary

As a result of their membership in the EU, the Baltic States have lost industry and agriculture and a third of their populations. During Soviet times, the Baltic republics where certain showcases; their cultural levels were improved thanks to other Soviet peoples. The Baltic States’ establishments thought this would continue to be the case. Instead, they have again returned to the boondocks, the place that they always had in Europe.

Disproof

This case is consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin narratives about socio-economic degradation in the Baltic States as opposed to their alleged well-being under the USSR. In fact, the economic situation of all three Baltic States is strong and demonstrates some of the leading economic growth indicators in the EU. The dynamics over the past years are available here.

See similar disinformation cases about the Baltic States alleging that Latvia is a US vassal state, that Lithuania is a "typical dying young democracy", that decaying Latvia and Lithuania envy Belarus its strategic relations with Russia, and that the Baltic States are dying because they chose not to be with Russia.

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Sputnik Belarus - Russian (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 175
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 11/11/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Country: Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia
  • Keywords: USSR, European Union, Economic difficulties, Baltic states
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Ukraine has no development strategy for Donbas

There is no development strategy for Donbas in Ukraine except to take billions from Russia. In Ukraine, even next year’s budget does not include funds for the Donbas. They are not going to reintegrate with anyone.

Nov 10, 2019
Disproof

A recurring disinformation narrative that it's impossible to reconnect Donbas with Ukraine, and there is no willingness to do it. On the contrary, the Donbas reintegration strategy is being developed at the state level. Between 2015-2019 it was the State Agency of Ukraine on the rehabilitation of the Donbas. The new government in Ukraine is planning to develop the Donbas reintegration plan by 2020. On 30 October 2019, in Mariupol, the Donetsk region, there was a "Unity Forum" with the President of Ukraine, government and NGOs. The main theme is the return of Donbas. The purpose of the forum is to establish a dialogue between the public and the authorities in order to overcome the challenges arising from the conflict in Donbas and its consequences. As a result of the event, participants plan to develop a roadmap for change to implement the strategy in the areas prescribed. At the same time, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine includes the reintegration of the occupied territories of Donbas to the state budget and the macroeconomic forecast as well. See previous debunks on "civil war in Ukraine".

There is a civil war in Donbas after the region rebelled against the illegal government in Kyiv

The civil war in Ukraine began in April 2014 after a coup which happened in the country. Donetsk and Luhansk did not want to obey the government that illegally came to power and declared independence. In response, Kyiv launched the so-called anti-terrorist operation against the republics of Donbas.

Nov 10, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Euromaidan and war in Ukraine. It disregards the extensive factual evidence confirming ongoing Russian military presence in Donbas. There have been many investigations proving Russia's involvement in the war in east Ukraine. There was no coup d'état in Ukraine. The spontaneous onset of the Euromaidan protests was an organic reaction by numerous parts of the Ukrainian population to former President Yanukovych’s sudden departure from the promised Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013. See the full debunk of this disinformation claim. The war in eastern Ukraine is not a civil conflict, but an act of aggression by the Russian armed forces, that continues since February 2014. 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, allied leaders also demanded that Russia refrain from aggressive actions against Ukraine and stop fomenting tension along and across the Ukrainian border. According to the US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Russian special forces and troops operated to mobilise, lead, equip, and support separatist militias in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine from spring 2014 to the present, although their presence was denied by Moscow. See further the claim that Russia is not a part of the conflict in Ukraine.

Evidence shows chemical attacks in Syria were falsified by the White Helmets

In India, a Russian expert presented evidence of the falsification of the chemical attacks in Syria. It is noted that the representatives of India paid due attention to information about the involvement of the White Helmets in the staging [of the chemical attacks]. They operate in the territories not controlled by Damascus.

Nov 10, 2019
Disproof

This is a recurring and enduring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the White Helmets. The "White Helmets" movement originated in Syria in 2012, when the first detachments of volunteer rescuers appeared in the territories outside the control of Bashar al-Assad's troops. In 2014, volunteer teams merged into a national organisation, the Syrian Civil Defence, which is the official name of the 'White Helmets'. Volunteers save people from the rubble after bombings, despite the danger to themselves as a result of repeated air strikes. Activists from this organisation have documented the use of chemical weapons in Syria by the Assad government and allied forces. Because of this, they have become the target of an extensive Russian disinformation campaign. Read previous disinformation claims alleging that France, UK, and the US support terrorists in Syria and that the chemical attacks in Syria have been staged and filmed by the media of the Western countries.