Disinfo: Washington is behind Denmark's attempts to obstruct the construction of Nord Stream 2

Summary

Denmark can delay the construction of Nord Stream 2 under various false pretexts, including environmental ones. The country has already turned down two proposals for the pipeline’s route even though they did not pose problems. By itself Denmark would dare to undertake such an adventure against Russia and Germany. Washington’s shadow stands behind Denmark’s back. For the US, this is a win-win development. First, in case construction of Nord Stream 2 is delayed, Russia would have to prolong a transit agreement with Ukraine’s Naftogaz company. Second, if Russian gas is not delivered to the EU through the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, then the EU would have to buy American liquefied gas.

Disproof

This message is a conspiracy with no proof of US influence over Denmark on the issue of the Nord Stream II pipeline construction. It is consistent with the lost sovereignty narrative frequently promoted by pro-Kremlin disinformation sources and follows other disinformation cases on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project. Denmark is a sovereign state and determines it's own security, foreign and environmental protection policies. The Danish Energy Agency has recently requested to conduct an environmental impact assessment of the new possible route for the pipeline before giving a green light to build the last segment of the Nord Stream II. In 2017 Denmark has also adopted a law that allows it to block the construction of the pipeline passing through its territorial waters on the grounds of national security. The law has not been invoked. See earlier examples of disinformation cases alleging that US bombers might target the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and that the US is threatening the EU and tries to stop the Nord Stream 2 project.

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Sonar2050 (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 154
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 11/06/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Denmark, US, Russia
  • Keywords: Nord Stream 2, Anti-Russian, Conspiracy theory
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Disinfo: Pre-schizophrenic condition of Finns might lead into a military conflict with Russia

Finnish border guards mistook a Russian yacht for a sea monster. Hysteria around the image of Russia as an enemy has led the Finnish border guard into a pre-schizophrenic condition. Finns are panicking and this might lead into a military conflict with Russia. This is part of Scandinavian media’s campaign to turn the public opinion positive to joining NATO.

Jun 10, 2019
Disproof

Distorted spin of a tweet by Finnish Coast Guard. The tweet was a joke about a "three-headed sea monster" spotted by the coast guard. As an evidence, the image of the yacht was attached to the post. Debunk by Aki Heikkinen.

Disinfo: Observers say Kazakhstan's presidential election were credible and democratic

Acting President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, won the early presidential election in Kazakhstan, according to preliminary estimates. Observers have not recorded any serious violations that could hinder the voting process, which they recognise as democratic. The observer mission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) did not record any ballot box stuffing during the vote. The elections were “credible and democratic”.

Jun 10, 2019
Disproof

Kazakhstan's presidential election offered an important moment for potential political reforms, but it was tarnished by clear violations of fundamental freedoms as well as pressure on critical voices. There were widespread detentions of peaceful protesters on election day. See here for the full statement on the elections by the EEAS spokesperson . Widespread irregularities and the arrests of peaceful protesters showed scant respect for democratic standards, said the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). In its preliminary report the OSCE stated: "The 9 June early presidential election in the Republic of Kazakhstan offered an important moment for potential political reforms, but it was tarnished by clear violations of fundamental freedoms as well as pressure on critical voices". According to the OSCE, which sent 300 observers to Kazakhstan, "significant irregularities were observed on election day, including cases of ballot box stuffing, and a disregard of counting procedures meant that an honest count could not be guaranteed". "The count was negatively assessed in more than half of observations, including cases of deliberate falsification, raising serious questions about whether ballots were counted and reported honestly as required by paragraph 7.4 of the 1990 OSCE Copenhagen Document. Meaningful transparency was not always provided to observers". Finally, there were widespread detentions of peaceful protesters on election day in major cities, OSCE recalls. See footage from the BBC. See more disinformation cases on Kazakhstan and other post-Soviet countries.

Disinfo: NATO’s increasing military potential is destroying the existing system of global security

NATO’s increasing military potential is destroying the existing system of global security.

Jun 10, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about NATO, claiming that Alliance policies are a threat to world peace and security. NATO policies introduced after the 2014 Ukraine crisis - aimed at reinforcing NATO’s Eastern flank and reassuring Central and Eastern European allies worried about possible threats from Russia – do not threaten global security. Following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and amid emerging security challenges in the Middle East and North Africa in 2014, NATO leaders at the Wales Summit adopted the Readiness Action Plan, a comprehensive package of enhanced collective defence and deterrent measures designed to ensure the transatlantic alliance could respond swiftly and firmly to changes in its security environment. The Plan included the enhancement of air and maritime policing efforts and the conduct of more military exercises focused in collective defence and crisis-management along NATO’s eastern border. As clearly stated by NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu, the Baltic military exercises known as BALTOPS, which are now in their 47th year, are not directed against any one in particular.