Disinfo: The UN recognises the Russian Crimea

Summary

The member of the Russian delegation to the UN, representing Crimea, was officially accredited to participate in the UN Minority Forum. Thus, the UN recognises the Russian Crimea.

Disproof

The disinformation narrative about the annexation of Crimea by Russia and its progressive recognition in the world is recurrent. No international body recognises the so-called referendum, announced on 27 February 2014, and held on 16 March 2014 amid the presence of Russian troops. The UNGA adopted resolution 68/262 on the territorial integrity of Ukraine. For the EU's statement on the fifth anniversary of Crimea's annexation, see here. Member of the delegation of the pro-Russian representatives of the annexed Crimea, the State Duma deputy Ruslan Balbek, spoke in Geneva on November 29 at the 12th session of the Minority Forum of the UN Human Rights Council. However, it doesn't confirm that the UN recognises the Russian Crimea. Ukrainian delegation in the UNMF stated that "the Russian Federation continues to use all possible procedural barriers to circumvent the UN resolutions, which directly and unequivocally affirm the illegality of Russia's occupation of the Ukrainian Crimea, and at least try to "illuminate" any collaborators in the Crimea as representatives of the Russian Federation, and thus try to legitimise their crime of occupying part of the territory of Ukraine." It was also confirmed that the co-chairmen of the Forum acknowledged that this position had been communicated very clearly and assured that it would be properly reflected in the official reports. The borders of Ukraine, including Crimea, were recognised and guaranteed after its independence in 1991 by international agreements, some of which were signed by Russia itself. Read the debunk of the historical disinformation narrative "Crimea has been always Russian".

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 176
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 02/12/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: United Nations, illegal annexation, Crimea
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Disinfo: Ecological problems - noose in the hands of the West

The issue of environmental problems has long become a noose in the hands of the West to hinder the development of dangerous competitors. Thus, a very trendy emphasis on ecology is just speculation.

Disproof

This is a conspiracy theory without any evidence, Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the West exploiting the environmental agenda and climate change topic to do harm to Russia, and that global warming is a "hoax" perpetrated by special interest groups like green businesses that stand to benefit from the climate hysteria. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Russia has to carry a heavy burden associated with the implementation of the Paris Agreement, that the West believes that as a result of global warming, only Russia will benefit, that the West's anti-family strategy is part of the war for Big Russia resources and that the climate mafia is exploiting Greta Thunberg to lower living standards.

Disinfo: The West is using environmental issues as a noose against competitors

Environmental issues have long turned into a noose, used by the West to restrain the development of dangerous competitors by convincing them that the intensive economy is very bad. At the international level, the West is trying to impose onerous restrictions on other economies. Or they are trying to tarnish the reputation of certain economic products and to squeeze out a rapidly growing competitor from the market. This global environmental propaganda successfully shapes public opinion in the direction it needs.

Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin conspiracy theory about the West allegedly exploiting the environmental agenda and climate change topic for self-serving reasons and using it as an imperialist tool against other countries. Climate change is a scientific fact. Humans are increasingly influencing the climate and the earth's temperature by burning fossil fuels, cutting down rain-forests and farming livestock. This adds enormous amounts of greenhouse gases to those naturally occurring in the atmosphere, increasing the greenhouse effect and global warming. Preventing dangerous consequences of the climate change is the key priority for the EU. For further disinformation cases about climate change, see here.

Disinfo: The US promised the whole world that NATO will not move one inch to the East

30 years ago, US Secretary of State James Baker promised the whole world – if Mikhail Gorbachev agrees to unite Germany, NATO will not move one inch to the East.

Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the West encircling Russia via NATO and NATO enlargement. This promise was never made, as Mikhail Gorbachev, then-president of the Soviet Union has himself confirmed. Central and Eastern European countries began seeking NATO membership in the early 1990s. NATO actively sought to create a cooperative environment that was conducive to enlargement while simultaneously building special relations with Russia. NATO does not "expand" in the imperialistic sense described by pro-Kremlin media. Rather, it considers the applications of candidate countries who want to join the alliance on their own national will. As such, NATO enlargement is not directed against Russia. NATO's "Open Door Policy" is based on Article 10 of the Alliance's founding document, the North Atlantic Treaty (1949). The Treaty states that NATO membership is open to any "European state in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area". Every sovereign nation has the right to choose its own security arrangements. This is a fundamental principle of European security and one to which Russia has also subscribed.