Disinfo: The EU is discrediting Sputnik V without arguments

Summary

The EU is trying to discredit Sputnik V and avoid its approval. The defamation of the Russian vaccine by the EU shows that Brussels has no arguments. Similar baseless allegations have been made more than once. This is proof that the issue is painful for the European Union. Brussels did not find any substantive arguments against Sputnik V.

Disproof

Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative trying to link the Sputnik V authorisation process to Russophobia.

There is credible evidence that the Russian government pressed Russian scientists and researchers to be the first in the world to develop a vaccine against Covid-19, and did everything to shorten the process, raising concerns about the safety and efficiency of the Sputnik V vaccine. Experts' reports conclude that Russia has perceived the development of a coronavirus vaccine in terms of geopolitical and economic gain.

Reservations and criticism of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine stem from the fact that in this process Russia did not complete large trials to test the vaccine’s safety and efficacy before releasing it. Rolling out an inadequately vetted vaccine could endanger people who receive it.

The EMA is committed to applying the same regulatory approach and scientific rigor to all vaccine applications that meet European requirements for safety, efficacy and quality and is in dialogue with more than 50 vaccine developers from across the globe, including the Sputnik V developers from Russia. The EMA has initiated the rolling review of Sputnik V on 4 March 2021, and the approval decision will be made on a scientific, not political basis. The evaluation can take up to 150 working days and is a work in progress.

See other examples of these pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that Western attacks on the Russian coronavirus vaccine are a corporate cold war against humanity or Russian progress in COVID-19 vaccine has become for the West an outrageous challenge, that Sputnik V is a target of the corporate cold war; that the West wants to discredit the Sputnik V.

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sputniknews.gr (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 242
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 01/04/2021
  • Article language(s) Greek
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia, EU
  • Keywords: Sputnik V, vaccination, Anti-Russian
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Disinfo: The EU gives Ukraine carte blanche on repressive policy

Ukraine has received a carte blanche from the European Union to pursue a repressive policy, which includes the introduction of censorship, the elimination of political opposition and the persecution of dissidents. Leading European politicians do not care about human rights abuses in post-Maidan Ukraine because they see it as the main testing ground for the containment of Russia.

Mar 31, 2021
Disproof

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media outlets.

EU promote political freedom in Ukraine with free media and absence of censorship. The EU also issued a strong statement in July 2020 that criticised a parliamentary bill aimed at regulating the media. The statement called on Kyiv to hold public hearings on that bill and harmonise it with EU regulations. In accordance with the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, Ukraine has agreed to correlate its media legislation with European standards.

Disinfo: Western countries attempt to carry out a coup in Belarus

Sanctions were imposed on the import of European goods and services in light of attempts by Western countries to carry out a coup in the republic.

As [...] reported, the pro-Western opposition in Belarus has been trying to launch a revolutionary scenario since last year. The coup plotters are supported by Western countries. Poland and Lithuania are directly supervising the coup.

The reason for this venturous plan was the presidential election. Alexander Lukashenko won it, but both the European Union and the USA refused to recognise the results of the vote.

Mar 31, 2021
Disproof

A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about Western attempts to organise a coup or colour revolution in Belarus.

The protests in Belarus erupted to contest the results of the presidential election on the 9th of August 2020, which were not monitored by independent experts, and are largely considered fraudulent by both international observers and a big part of the Belarusian society. On 19 August 2020, the European Council called Belarusian elections neither free nor fair.

Disinfo: Events in Myanmar are Western anti-Chinese provocation

It is wrong to designate a political regime in Myanmar as junta because the military just used their constitutional rights to replace the government following the rigged elections just like it had happened in the US.

The news about killed protesters in Myanmar cannot be trusted because it is published by global news agencies. Organisations like the Burma Human Rights Network are based in western countries and feed the public with the information they want.

The tactics used in Myanmar are similar to those previously used in Belarus, Russia, and Hong Kong. It consists of provocations with the aim to incite a civil war. Protesters take hostages or attack them in order to provoke the military, particularly against kids. Protesters attack the armed military personnel and kids must be present in the crowd where such protesters hide. Moreover, protesters make arsons which also amounts to terrorism.

The ultimate target of Myanmar events is China. Everything that has been happening in Myanmar over the last 30 years, was aimed at disruption of Myanmar-China ties.

Mar 31, 2021
Disproof

This publication provides a manipulative view on events in Myanmar and serves as an example of a big conspiracy, which groundlessly attributes groundbreaking events in Belarus, Myanmar, Russia and elsewhere to vicious activities of some western actors.

There is no evidence supporting the claims about events in Myanmar as an anti-Chinese provocation by outside forces. Read our past analysis "Why authoritarians love the concept of the big conspiracy" and a similar earlier disinformation case claiming that London-based headquarters organise colour revolutions in Belarus, Myanmar, Russia, and the US.