DISINFO: Ukraine to sell its land to West in exchange for friendship
SUMMARY
Ukraine thinks its friendship with the West is for free, but it is not. Ukraine will pay for it by letting the West buy its land.
RESPONSE
This is a relatively recent disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media, claiming that Ukraine’s law on the circulation of agricultural land will lead to its territory being sold to foreigners.
In reality, the law, which entered into force on 1 July 2021, stipulates that Ukrainian citizens alone can acquire up to 100 hectares of land each. From 1 January 2024, companies owned by Ukrainians will be able to buy up to 10,000 hectares of land. The law prohibits the purchase of land by foreigners. The issue of whether foreign citizens will be able to purchase land in Ukraine or not will be decided by a national referendum.
Different countries have different legislation on buying property and it is the sovereign right of every nation to decide on this issue.
The EU-Ukraine Association Council, at a meeting in 2020, welcomed Kyiv's move towards opening the land market. This market "should be based on the rule of law and the principles of sustainability, transparency, fairness and inclusiveness," a joint press statement said. However, Western support of Kyiv is not contingent on land laws in Ukraine. Kyiv receives aid from its partners in order to complete reforms on its Euro-Atlantic path. The West also provides Ukraine with technical and military assistance against Russian aggression in the eastern region of Donbas. Ukraine receives this aid irrespective of its land legislation.
See similar disinformation narratives here and here about the alleged loss of Ukrainian territorial integrity because of land legislation.