Disinfo: Ukraine is a tool of Western countries against Russia

Summary

Ukraine is a tool for Western powers to try to influence Russia, destabilise Russia or constantly accuse it. Ukraine is used as firewood to fuel the flame of sanctions. Ukraine becomes a playground for experiments for Western countries, which, without any evidence, accuse Russia of aggression and violations of international law.

Disproof

This article makes a recurring claim about Ukraine as a puppet of the West as well as providing disinformation about the war in Ukraine.

There is enough evidence about the role of Russia in events in Ukraine. The war in Ukraine is a well-documented act of aggression by Russian armed forces, ongoing since February 2014. There is irrefutable evidence of direct Russian military involvement in Eastern Ukraine, in the Donbas. Russia is supporting its proxies with weapons, its active-duty soldiers serve there and its top military commanders visit the war zone to coordinate joint efforts with the separatists. Despite all this Russia officially denies its military presence in Donbas.

Western countries are supporting the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Economic sanctions are the answer to the illegitimate actions of Russia. The EU established the sanctions regime under its own laws, specifically Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, "concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine." More about the current EU's sanctions on Russia regarding the territorial integrity of Ukraine can be read here.The US also implemented sanctions related to Russian aggression against Ukraine (see more here).

Futhermore, the European Union has stated that it will be standing firmly and decisively with Ukraine in front of any attempt to undermine its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and has warned of severe political consequences and with a high political and economic cost for Russia if it proceeds with further aggressive actions.

At the beginning of 2022, on 4-6 January, the EU High Representative Josep Borrell visited Ukraine, including Kyiv and the Stanytsya Luhanska checkpoint - see his statement/blog here on the consequences of the war. The High Representative said, inter alia:

“I could eyewitness the consequences of the war in the Donbas region and hear and see how the conflict has dramatically affected the lives of thousands of people, with many destinies destroyed. ...

Russia is a party to this conflict and not a mediator as it often claims. Our main interest, concern and purpose is to get Russia to de-escalate tensions.”

Read our recent article on Russian disinformation about the Russian military buildup near Ukraine.

See similar examples of disinformation presenting Ukraine as the tool of Western countries against Russia: The US is using the phantom of Ukraine for confrontation against Russia; NATO is egging Ukraine on a military gamble; Western curators want Kyiv to start a war in Donbas and involve Moscow in conflict.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 270
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 24/01/2022
  • Article language(s) Russian, Lithuanian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Russia, Ukraine
  • Keywords: West, Anti-Russian, Sanctions, War in Ukraine
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Disinfo: The US is ordering Facebook to censor Sputnik’s opinions

Under the guidance of the US political leadership, Facebook is blocking posts on Sputnik pages. Anything that contradicts the directions of the American side is deleted or blocked, as it has happened in the past with (former US President Donald) Trump.

The Facebook administration took the same measures with China and Venezuela in earlier times, due to the political dispute with the American side, despite the fact that these pages did not violate the stated standards.

The US can pressure Facebook to block official websites belonging to the Russian state, especially official news sites, including Sputnik, in order to stop the flow of news that does not comply with American policy.

Disproof

A pro-Kremlin narrative about the US's alleged media censorship and societal control.

This message is consistent with another broad pro-Kremlin narrative that seeks to discredit democratic societies by painting the latter as totalitarian systems that want to persecute anyone who expresses views that are different from the dominant way of thinking.

Disinfo: The United States intimidates Russia with sanctions

The United States intimidates Russia with sanctions designed to undermine Russia's domestic economy and create a systemic challenge to Russia

Disproof

Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about an aggressive Russophobic policy of sanctions by the US, framing them as unjustified measures against Russia.

The United States has long sought a full and constructive relationship with Russia. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States adopted a bipartisan strategy to facilitate cooperation on global issues and promote foreign investment and trade. The United States supported Russia’s integration into European and global institutions and a deepened bilateral partnership in security cooperation to reinforce the foundations of stability and predictability.

Disinfo: Georgia started the aggression against Russia in 2008

Georgia attacked the republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and Russia was initially accused of initiating the war. In 2009, the International fact-finding mission into those events came to the conclusion that the Georgian authorities started the attack.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative trying to deny any role for Russia in the Russo-Georgian war, portraying it as a peacemaker and blaming Georgia and its political leadership for the war which resulted in the further occupation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by additional military forces from Russia timed around the 13th anniversary of the conflict.

Georgia is a sovereign country attacked by Russia in 2008. Many international organisations condemned the further occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, see e.g. the CSCE statement here, the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia here and the European Parliament's declaration.