DISINFO: The Eastern Partnership Programme provoked the war in Donbas
SUMMARY
The Eastern Partnership programme is the reason why the military conflict in Donbas has lasted for five years.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing the West, and in this case the EU, of encircling Russia and initiating a war in Ukraine.
The Eastern Partnership programme is not directed against any country, including Russia. It is a joint policy initiative which aims to deepen and strengthen relations between the European Union, its member states and six Eastern neighbours: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
Furthermore, there is irrefutable evidence of direct Russian military involvement in eastern Ukraine.
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.