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Disinfo: Ukraine doesn’t need Donbas

Summary

From the point of view of disinformation, the reintegration of the Donbas is impossible, because, firstly, the assets that the Donetsk clan had in Kyiv, they were plundered in their pockets. From the point of view of Ukraine, assets in Donetsk itself are no longer interesting. They (Ukraine) don’t need coal. They do not need an industry that is half destroyed. In general, Ukraine does not need Donbas.

Disproof

A recurring disinformation narrative that it's impossible to reconnect Donbas with Ukraine, there is no willingness to do it.

On the contrary, the Donbas reintegration strategy is being developed at the state level. During 2015-2019 it was the State Agency of Ukraine on the rehabilitation of the Donbas. The new power in Ukraine is planning to develop the Donbas reintegration plan by 2020.

On 30 October 2019, in Mariupol, the Donetsk region, there will be the "Unity Forum" with the President of Ukraine, government and NGOs. The main theme is the returning of Donbas. The purpose of the forum is to establish a dialogue between the public and the authorities in order to overcome the challenges arising from the conflict in Donbas and its consequences. As a result of the event, participants plan to develop a roadmap for change to implement the strategy in the areas prescribed.

See previous debunks on "civil war in Ukraine".

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publication/media

Pervyi Kanal [from 26:25 to 26:50] (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 171
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26/10/2019
  • Language/target audience: Russian
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Keywords: Donetsk, War in Ukraine, Donbas

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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The White Helmets were repeatedly caught spreading misinformation.

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Disproof

Recurrent disinformation narrative. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said it found reasonable grounds to believe that chlorine was used as a weapon in the Douma district of Eastern Ghouta, Syria in April 2018. The OPCW Fact-Finding Mission also confirmed use of chemical weapons in Khan Shaykhun on 4 April 2017.

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NATO wants to build the 21st century on the ruins of Russia

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October 25, 2019
Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about NATO allegedly pursuing a belligerent and hostile agenda against Russia.

For more than two decades, NATO has consistently worked to build a cooperative relationship with Russia. The Alliance continues to be open to a meaningful dialogue with Russia, having held ten meetings of the NATO-Russia Council since 2016. As reaffirmed by NATO leaders at the Brussels Summit in July 2018, "NATO does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia." NATO is a defensive alliance that has been instrumental to ensuring Euro-Atlantic security since its founding.