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Disinfo: The construction of the Berlin wall was also desired by the Western powers

Summary

The construction of the Berlin Wall was also desired by the Western powers.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative involving historical revisionism.

Communist East German authorities built the Berlin Wall in 1961 to stop the flow of residents into the democratic, and free, West. For almost 30 years, the Berlin Wall separated West Berlin from the East German state, the GDR, which was in the sphere of influence of the Soviet Union. Read more about the Berlin Wall here.

Western powers and NATO Allies opposed the Wall from the beginning. In December 1961, just a few months after construction of the Wall had started, NATO foreign ministers “reaffirmed the determination to protect and defend the liberties of West Berlin and ensure to its people the conditions for a free and prosperous life.”

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publication/media

Geopolitica.ru - Italian (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 173
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 11/11/2019
  • Language/target audience: Italian
  • Country: Germany
  • Keywords: GDR, West, European Union, USSR, Historical revisionism, NATO

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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Colour revolutions have been promoted by neo-liberal elites, including through war

The colour revolutions have been promoted by democracy-obsessed neo-liberal Western elites who aim to export by any means the model of society they prefer, including through war. These Western-backed color revolutions have provoked devastating consequences for the local populations.

November 18, 2019
Disproof

Conspiracy theory. Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative presenting colour revolutions as attempts by the West to overthrow regimes in post-Soviet states and in other regions. This narrative portrays any spontaneous disorders and civil uprisings in other states, especially the former Soviet republics, as West-funded "colour revolutions". The narrative has been applied, among others, to report about protests in Ukraine, Venezuela, Georgia, and Belarus, as well as to portray the West as an aggressive actor constantly preparing new coups. Read here a full disproof of the Maidan disinformation narrative. Read a similar case claiming that global liberal elite stages Russophobic events throughout the world.

Transnistria is an independent state

Only poorly educated people can talk about the unification of Transnistria and Moldova. Transnistria is an independent state.

November 18, 2019
Disproof

Recurring the disinformation narrative claiming that the separatist region Transnistria will never join Moldova because of the pro-Romanian and pro-European orientation of Moldovan authorities. In fact, in a talk show to Radio Vesti.ru, Alexey Martynov said: “So for over 25 years, more than quarter of century, the Moldovan Republic of Transnistria has been developing absolutely on its own, and on a separate vector. […] Transnistria has always demonstrated an independent vector of development oriented primarily towards Russia, a greater, because they have considered and continue considering themselves as part of a greater Russia.” He did not ”emphasise” that Transnistria is an independent state. Further debunking on Polygraph.

Founder of “White Helmets” was linked to Al Qaeda during his time in Kosovo

The “White Helmets” were founded by a British spy who, as research shows, had contacts with terrorist organisations during the time he was active in Kosovo. At that time, his team included members of Al Qaeda, among others.  

November 18, 2019
Disproof

Conspiracy theory; no evidence given. This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the White Helmets, a humanitarian organisation of volunteer rescue workers also known as the Syria Civil Defense, and their recently deceased founder James Le Mesurier. The White Helmets have documented some of the worst atrocities carried out by the Syrian government and the Russian military, and as a result, Russian and Syrian media have consistently sought to delegitimise them through portrayals as a Western-backed “terrorist organisation". Although the claim states that Le Mesurier's connection to Al Quaeda and/or other terrorist groups was established through "research", no such evidence is provided to substantiate this. This case, as well as the insinuation that the White Helmets were involved in producing fake evidence of chemical weapons attacks in Syria, are a continuation of smear campaigns against civilian rescuers in Syria that have been circulating in pro-Kremlin media for years. For further disinformation cases about the White Helmets, see here. For cases about the war in Syria, see here.