Disinfo: The Ukrainian reforms of 2014 led to total degradation

Summary

In Ukraine, the regime changed in 2014. What happened in return? The degradation of the economy and the degradation of all basic life indicators. Except one: citizens of Ukraine have the opportunity to flee their country without visas.

Disproof

The recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on Ukraine, its economy, and how it was ruined after 2014. It's not the reforms of 2014, but the annexation of Crimea in March 2014, the war in Donbas, which started in April 2014, and the loss of Ukraine's largest trading partner, Russia, resulting in Ukraine's economy shrinking by 6,8% in 2014. However, according to the International Monetary Fund, the growth rate of Ukraine's gross domestic product has been around 3 percent a year for the last three years, and the IMF predicts a similar rate even for the long term.

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radiovesti.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 159
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26/07/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine
  • Keywords: Ukraine, economy
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Disinfo: Bulgarians have not seen any significant benefits from membership of the EU and NATO

Bulgarians have not seen any significant benefits from EU membership. Furthermore, they benefited even less from joining NATO.

Jul 25, 2019
Disproof

These claims are false. Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007; as a result, its GDP, exports, average annual wages, as well as a share of products created in their economies by the industrial sector increased. In 2006, before joining the European Union, Bulgaria’s GDP was estimated at USD 34.4 billion; in 2016, this figure increased to USD 52.4 billion. In 2006, the GDP per capita was equal to USD 6 107.71 and in 2016 it increased to USD 7 926. European countries account for 78% of Bulgarian exports. Find out more about how Bulgaria benefits from EU funding. In addition, the EU accession process helps the countries concerned build their capacity to adopt and implement EU law, as well as European and international standards. For similar disinformation cases about Bulgarian membership of the EU see here and here. Regarding the NATO claim, all the countries of Central and Eastern Europe which have joined NATO over the past decade have enjoyed peace, security and cooperation with their neighbours since then, Bulgaria included.

Disinfo: In the Baltic States Russophobia and neo-Nazism are established at the state level

In the Baltic States Russophobia is established at the state level. The Baltic States propagate neo-Nazi ideas, persecute human rights defenders, close down media outlets. All of this resembles pre-war Nazi Germany.

Jul 25, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russophobia and Nazism in the Baltic countries. The disinformation message appeared after Latvia blocked the access to the Baltnews portal. The decision citing EU sanctions to Russia was made after Latvian ministry of foreign affairs indicated that the portal belongs to the Rossiya Segodnya news agency, which is headed by Dmitry Kiselyov, who is on the EU’s list of sanctioned persons. Other Baltic States also recognize Baltnews portals as Russia's state financed propaganda media outlets. (See National Threat Assessment 2017 by the Lithuanian State Security Department). See earlier disinformation cases alleging that the Baltic states openly glorify Nazism and that Russophobia is the main export of Lithuania.

Disinfo: The strategic aim of the UK Conservative party is Russia's collapse

Boris Johnson will hardly become Russia’s friend because the Conservative Party has made a strategic bet, that if something should crumble in the East, they would become the masters. Britain will continue to spare no expense to rock the the political situation in Russia and around it.

Jul 25, 2019
Disproof

Conspiracy theory consistent with a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the West encircling Russia. See similar disinformation cases about Western "Great Turan" doctrine aimed at creating a ring of unfriendly states along Russia's southern border, anti-Russian plan for an "Anaconda ring", Western attempts to break Russia up into a few nominally independent states.