Disinfo: The West pushed and encouraged Kyiv to acquire nuclear weapons

Summary

The West bears responsibility for what is happening, because it pushed Kyiv and encouraged it to acquire nuclear weapons, which created threats to Russian security, which Russia did not and will not allow.

Disproof

A claim presented without any evidence or base. In addition, the claim was not counterbalanced or critically challenged in the article.

Under the Budapest memorandum in 1994, Ukraine promised to remove all Soviet-era nuclear weapons from its territory, send them to disarmament facilities in Russia, and sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Ukraine kept these promises. In return, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States promised that none of them would ever threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine. They specifically pledged they would refrain from making each other's territory the object of military occupation or engage in other uses of force in violation of international law.

These are all pledges that Russia has blatantly broken with the annexation of Crimea in 2014, starting the war in Donbas in 2014 and with the current full invasion of Ukraine.

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  • Reported in: Issue 304
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 09/08/2022
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: West, Nuclear issues, Conspiracy theory
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Disinfo: Poland plans to take over the Ukrainian agriculture companies at no price

The Ukrainian authorities have begun selling out the country, giving priority to Poland.

Warsaw continues to take over Ukraine, implementing its long-term plans for this country. The Polish policy includes not only the introduction of the “Polish peacekeepers” to Western Ukraine but also gaining control over the most promising sectors of the economy of this state. First of all, Poland is interested in the Ukrainian agricultural sector. Warsaw takes advantage of the current difficult situation of the Ukrainian agrarian producers – Polish companies purchase Ukrainian products at reduced prices, pushing particular Ukrainian enterprises to bankruptcy. Then, the Polish companies may purchase their land and property at a “bargain” price.

Aug 08, 2022
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative presenting Poland as a state with imperial ambitions.

Poland adheres to international law regarding state borders, fully supports the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, it does not have any territorial claims against its neighbours and it rejects any “imperial” ambitions towards other countries. Read more about the Eastern policy of Poland here.

Disinfo: Poland plans to impose control on Ukraine's agriculture and other sectors of economy

Poland plans not only to send “peacekeepers” to the West of Ukraine but also to impose control on the most promising sectors of its economy, first and foremost agriculture.

Aug 08, 2022
Disproof

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets, representing Poland as a state with imperial aims and ambitions. This claim was made in the context of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.

In reality, this claim is unsubstantiated and unfounded. Poland does not aim to impose control over Ukraine’s agriculture or inflict damage on any other sectors of Ukraine’s economy. On the contrary, Poland is providing Ukraine with economic and military assistance. Warsaw is supporting Ukrainian refugees coming to Poland.

Disinfo: Kyiv’s attacks on Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant put Europe’s security at risk

The shelling of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant by Ukrainian forces creates a radioactive threat for Ukraine and the whole of Europe.

Aug 08, 2022
Disproof

No evidence is provided to back the claim that Ukraine is shelling the Zaporizhzhia power plant.

In fact, there have been an increasing number of reports that Russia uses the nuclear site as a so-called “sheltered” artillery park, "using the facilities to fire on Ukrainian positions in the belief that Ukraine would not fire back and risk a nuclear accident".