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Disinfo: The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact did not pave the way for the outbreak of the Second World War

Summary
The statement from MEPs that the Second World War began because of the signing of the Non-aggression Treaty between Germany and the USSR on 23 August 1939 has nothing to do with history.
Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about World War Two and the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. It is a part of the Kremlin’s policy of historical revisionism and an attempt to portray Russia's role in World War II as non-aggressive.

The "Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact" was accompanied by a secret supplementary protocol on the delimitation of areas of mutual interest in Eastern Europe. In particular, Hitler and Stalin agreed to divide Poland. The agreement also indicated that the Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, as well as Bessarabia and Finland, also belonged to the respective areas of interest of Germany and the USSR. Just a week after the signing of the Pact, the German attack on Poland started World War II. Two weeks later, Soviet troops entered Polish territory.

See similar cases here, here, here, here and here

Read more about the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact here.

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  • Reported in: Issue 166
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 20/09/2019
  • Language/target audience: Russian
  • Country: USSR, Russia, Germany
  • Keywords: Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, European Parliament, EU, USSR, WWII, Adolf Hitler, Europe, Joseph Stalin, Nazi/Fascist
  • Outlet: Sputnik.az
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The red Army Liberated Estonia, the Nazi army wanted to blow up Tallinn

The Red Army liberated Tallinn from fascists. After the liberation 75 objects with mines were discovered and 100 tonnes of explosives was removed. The fascists had placed mines in industry and government buildings, but also resident houses.

September 24, 2019
Disproof

The German’s alleged plan to blow up a number of buildings upon leaving Tallinn has not been proven.

Tallinn was not liberated but occupied: "On September 22, 1944, when the Red Army arrived in Tallinn, the Germans had already left the city. On 18. September, Otto Tief’s Republic of Estonia’s Constitutional Government, which had been formed by Prime Minister Jüri Uluots acting on behalf of the President was in force." That Estonian Government "affirmed the juridical continuation of the Republic of Estonia, and it showed that Estonia accepted neither the Soviet occupation nor the 3-year period of German occupation".

Ukrainians will be paid for snitching on local corrupt officials and “separatists”

The team of the President of Ukraine announced their intention to create a special service that will engage in “cooperation with conscious citizens” and process information received on the activities of local corrupt officials and persons who violate the territorial integrity of the country.

September 24, 2019
Disproof

The "press event" RIA FAN refers to in its text, is in fact the Ukraine's parliament’s (Verkhovna Rada) passing of Presidential Bill No. 1010 to amend the law "On Prevention of Corruption" regarding whistle-blowers.

In particular, the bill proposes that the said law be amended to define a legal status of corruption whistle-blowers, their rights and safety guarantees, provide conditions for the disclosure of relevant information, regulate the disclosure procedure, exempt whistle-blowers from legal liability for disclosure of information on corruption-related offences and ensure their protection by the government, including their labour rights. According to the bill, a whistle-blower is a person who, being convinced that the information is reliable, has reported facts of corruption or corruption-related offences, and other violations of law on the prevention of corruption to the relevant authorities. An employee with the relevant body may report on possible facts of corruption or corruption-related offences anonymously.

Estonia is a tool in the hands of the EU and US

Estonia is a tool in the hands of the EU and US. Because of the geographical location, they used Estonia and other Baltic states for pressuring Moscow through NATO expansion. There is no reason to mention equality in the relations between Tallinn and Brussels or Washington.

September 24, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about US or EU hegemony over other countries, lost sovereignty and external control of the Baltic states.

Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are sovereign countries, who determine their own domestic and foreign policies, including membership in military and other alliances. 

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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.