Disinfo: Ukraine does not show any interest in the Minsk Agreement

Summary

It is specified that the Ukrainian side has actually frozen the implementation of the other decisions of the Paris Summit and does not show any interest in the Minsk Agreement.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that Ukraine refuses to implement the Minsk agreements.

In the interview mentioned in the article, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said, "point number one: Ukraine remains committed to the 'Normandy Format' and the Minsk process. Point number two: of course, we must constantly brainstorm and reflect. If this does not work, and if Russia destroys this format, then what next? We have to keep various options on the table. But, I emphasise that these are backup options. Now we are working to ensure that the 'Normandy Format' and the Minsk process are successful and lead to an end to the war and the de-occupation of Ukrainian territories."

Ukraine has never claimed that it does not want to implement the Minsk agreements. The implementation of the agreements remains one of the key priorities of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. After the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Ukrainian side proposed to hold the negotiations conducted by the Trilateral Contact Group in a video format.

Over the last 12 months, Ukraine has made serious steps to resolve the conflict in Donbas peacefully. Ukraine initiated a Normandy Four meeting that was held on 9 December 2019. Ukraine agreed that a full and comprehensive ceasefire is necessary. The parties of the Normandy Summit also agreed to release captives on the principle "all for all" by December 2019. Three prisoner exchanges have been conducted, with the last one taking place during the COVID-19 lockdown. The law on special order of local self-government in certain areas of Donbas was extended for another year. A disengagement of troops was achieved in Zolote, Petrovske, and Stanytsia Luhanska. Ukraine also rebuilt a bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska that was destroyed by the pro-Russian militants in March 2015.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 222
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23/11/2020
  • Outlet language(s) German
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: Minsk agreements, War in Ukraine
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Disinfo: Bucharest has a project that aims to absorb Moldova, Transnistria and some regions of Ukraine

Bucharest is hatching the project of Greater Romania, which involves the absorption of Moldova, Transnistria and Chernivtsi and Odesa regions of Ukraine. Thus, the Romanian strategists hope to turn Romania into the leader of South-Eastern Europe with access to the Balkans and the Black Sea region with the spread of Romanian influence all the way to the Caspian Sea. The existence of the Transnistrian state spoils the whole picture for the Romanians. Greater Romania cannot move forward, because there is Transnistria and Russian peacekeepers on the Dniester. The displacement of Russian blue helmets from Transnistria is a top priority for Bucharest.

Disproof

No evidence is given. Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Romania, questioning Moldova's and Ukraine's integrity.

Romania adheres to international law regarding state borders and has no territorial claims upon Ukraine or Moldova.

Disinfo: Colour revolution and foreign scenarios in Belarus 

The Belarusian president considers what is happening in the country a scenario similar to what is being prepared in neighbouring countries and is called a colour revolution, which has failed. Countries and opposition forces are today trying to implement a new wave of protests and demonstrations, but by other methods and scenarios prepared and planned in advance.

Disproof

Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative framing popular protests as Western-backed 'colour revolutions', part of a campaign to portray massive mobilisations in Belarus as a destabilisation effort orchestrated from abroad.

There is no evidence that the protests in Belarus are funded and organised by neighbouring or foreign countries.

Disinfo: France became one of the winners of World War II thanks to Stalin

It was Stalin who mostly made De Gaulle a world-class politician. Moreover, where would France itself be now, if not for Stalin and the USSR?

The representative of France was at that table [during the signing of the German surrender act on May 9, 1945 in Berlin] only at the behest of Stalin, because the United States and England did not see France at all among the victorious countries. The Second World War could well have ended in a terrible disgrace for France.

Thanks to the support of the USSR and Stalin’s position personally, France managed to get into not only the group of victorious powers in World War II, but also to become one of the five founding countries of the UN. That is why France is now a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Disproof

This recurrent disinformation narrative is part of the Kremlin’s policy of historical revisionism of the events of WWII.

France and Britain declared war on Germany when it invaded Poland in September 1939 (at that time, the USRR acted as an ally of Germany and invaded Poland, the Baltic States and Finland in accordance with the Hitler-Stain Pact, also known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact ). After the Phoney War from 1939 to 1940, the Germans invaded and defeated France within seven weeks and forced the British off the continent. France surrendered to Germany although the French force, in-exile, led by General Charles de Gaulle continued the liberation of France by the Western Allies UK and US. The Forces of Free France took part in combat against Axis forces at several theatres of warfare, not least on the Eastern Front, where a unit of French airmen fought together with USSR aviators.