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.
RESPONSE
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".