Disinfo: The US wants to destroy Belarusian economy and statehood

Summary

The US’s global goal is to build a unipolar world, and its goal towards Belarus is torpedoing integration in the post-Soviet space and of the Union State between Belarus and Russia. While nominally the US promised to deliver oil to Belarus, in reality, it is pushing Belarus to destroy its national economy. Instead of building a less dependent economy on Russia, Belarus can only become a totally dependent country on the West, without economy and statehood.

Disproof

This is a conspiracy theory which is consistent with recurring Belarus-related pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about West's aggressiveness towards Belarus and its attempts to disrupt Belarusian-Russian relations. This message is based on a false dilemma about the direction of Belarus's political and economic development (successful union with Russia vs. ruined economy and lost statehood).

See similar propagandistic false dilemmas for Belarus: union with Russia vs. no future, normal development under Russia vs. forced Polonization and economic devastation, turning into a Russian western federal area vs. descent into Nazism. See also earlier disinformation cases claiming that the EU wants Belarus to lose its independence and is trying to disrupt Belarus-Russia relations.

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ross-bel.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 184
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 03/02/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: US, Belarus, Russia
  • Keywords: Union State of Belarus and Russia, Energy, Economic difficulties, Conspiracy theory
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Disinfo: The US Defender 2020 military manoeuvre is explicitly directed against Russia

The US Defender 2020 military manoeuvre, with Germany as the logistical hub, is explicitly directed against Russia. The exercise is a mistake, the West is in a phase where it has to approach Russia because it needs Russia to solve the global problems in the Middle East and in North Africa. These problems are much more acute than the problems in Ukraine. But unfortunately, a large part of the German leadership elite today is of the opinion that everything possible must be done to show solidarity with the Poles and the Balts.

Feb 02, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the West/ NATO threatening or encircling Russia and the US-led military exercise "Defender-Europe 2020", which is not aimed or targeted at Russia. US Major General Andrew Rohling Deputy Commanding General for the US Army in Europe, informs that the US-led exercise "Defender 2020" is an American exercise with 18 NATO partner countries. Rohling emphasises that the aim of the exercise is not to target any country, but rather to test strategic readiness and how to react to a crisis. Exercise Defender-Europe 2020 is the deployment of a division-size combat-credible force from the United States to Europe, the drawing of equipment and the movement of personnel and equipment across the Atlantic to various training areas in Europe, like Germany and Poland. With US Defender Europe 2020, the 18 participating NATO-countries are therefore practising procedures to ensure and demonstrate the ability to relocate and also to confirm the alliance's commitment to supporting and, in particular, to show the United States' commitment to Europe's security. There are 37,000 participants - of which up to 20,000 from the USA are to be relocated to Europe - and takes place from January to May 2020. U.S. service members will then spread out across the region to establish intermediate staging bases with multinational forces and participate in various annual exercises. For more information about the exercise: US Army Europe Website and Factsheet about Defender 2020 and updates from the Bundeswehr (German Army).

Disinfo: US officials loot their colonies including Ukraine

Appointment of Joe Biden’s son to the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma is a traditional example of US looting its colonies. At times, families of high-ranking US officials benefited not only from colonies but from Washington’s geopolitical opponents. Given the revenues that the American politicians received from the ruins of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukrainian economies, all those who believe in the US’s intention to fight corruption in foreign countries, are naive.

Feb 02, 2020
Disproof

Conspiracy theory consistent with a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine's sovereignty and US presence in Europe. The relations between the US and Ukraine are bilateral relations between two independent countries. The US recognised Ukraine as an independent state on 25 December 1991. US policy is focused on strengthening a stable, democratic, prosperous, and free Ukraine, more closely integrated into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that the US has turned Ukraine into a puppet, that colour revolutions are used by the West to intervene in the affairs of sovereign states and that the US State Department and US Embassy in Ukraine represent a system of “Gauleiter's".

Disinfo: Foreign diplomats in Navalny's trial interfere in Russia's domestic affairs

The presence of foreign diplomats in the court trying Alexey Navalny is not only a clear interference in Russia’s domestic affairs. It is also exerting psychological pressure to the judges.

Feb 02, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Alexei Navalny.

Anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny has long been the most prominent face of Russian opposition to President Vladimir Putin. His candidacy in the 2018 presidential election was banned by authorities over his conviction by a Russian court of embezzlement, which bars him from running for office. He has been arrested and imprisoned several times during his political career. He is also a prominent figure outside Russia and this justifies the interest of foreign countries and officials.