Disinfo: Unlike the EU, Russia provided Italy with concrete help

Summary

Unlike the EU, Russia provided Italy with concrete help. The Russian assistance to Italy is a perfect example of solidarity. Meanwhile, the European Parliament decided that there is an increasing number of people with depression living in Europe, so it declared May 27th as the European Day of Optimism (so far, it is a proposition from MEPs). The EU does not offer [to Italy] any specific solutions, while the Russian help to Italy, and its citizens, is concrete.

Disproof

This message is part of the Kremlin’s disinformation campaign around the Coronavirus epidemic. It promotes a narrative of the EU's failing efforts in its fight with the epidemic as opposed to the successful Russian ones. Evidence is emerging that there are significant shortcomings with the aid sent by Russia, with one report estimating that up to 80% of this aid is ineffective. The Russian aid delivered to Italy is mainly composed of various equipment for disinfecting the streets. This type of equipment is not urgently required in Italy and has been described as a Russian “geopolitical and diplomatic charm offensive”. The EU and its member states have provided humanitarian and financial assistance to Italy as follows: • Establishment of two packages of financial support for countries affected by the coronavirus outbreak (about 37 billion EUR); • 50 million EUR approved by the European Commission to support Italian production and supply of medical equipment; approval of the Italian State guarantee supporting a debt moratorium from banks to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) affected by the coronavirus outbreak. • The German hospitals continue receiving Italian patients with the Coronavirus See other disinformation messages connected to the Coronavirus epidemics such as Coronavirus will cause the dissolution of the EU and NATO, Pentagon-funded biological laboratories involved in creation of Coronavirus, The Baltic states may not survive the coronavirus-related economic crisis and Germany called for lifting sanctions against Russia because of Coronavirus.

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pl.sputniknews.com (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 190
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 24/03/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Polish
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: EU, Italy, Russia
  • Keywords: coronavirus, humanitarian aid, Diplomacy with Russia, EU disintegration, Economic difficulties
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Disinfo: Coronavirus pushed the West into the Middle Ages

A combination of systemic crisis and the coronavirus epidemic dealt a blow to the West’s mythical unity. Western countries refuse to help each other by sending medical equipment or providing financial assistance. The US organised a military operation to export half a million of coronavirus tests from Italy, despite the deficit Italy is facing. The West is sinking in the Middle Ages, where everyone is for himself. The longer the epidemic stays, the further back in time the West will be submerged. The only positive aspect is that the combination of a global systemic crisis, low hydrocarbon prices, and the coronavirus pandemic may replace a new world war by moving away unsustainable political entities.

Mar 23, 2020
Disproof

This message is consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin claims about the EU's helplessness in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak and a common narrative about the EU's imminent collapse. The European Union is supporting Member States in addressing the crisis and has adopted measure to mitigate the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. To cushion the blow to people’s livelihoods and the economy, the European Commission has adopted a comprehensive economic response to the outbreak, applied the full flexibility of the EU fiscal rules, has revised its State Aid rules and proposed to set up a EUR 37 billion Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative to provide liquidity to small businesses and the health care sector. To support scientific research into COVID-19, the European Commission earmarked 47.5 million EUR for shortlisted research projects that can improve epidemiology and public health, including preparedness and response to outbreaks. The EU has also created first ever stockpile of medical equipment. Read more about the EU's response here and here. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Italy, Spain, Portugal and possibly even France are in line to exit the EU, that a number of EU countries teeter on the brink of default, and that the coronavirus and economic crisis caught the EU by surprise because of its Russophobia.

Disinfo: Western sanctions are a result of Crimea's return to Russia

Western countries imposed since mid-2014 several sanctions on Moscow because of the return of Crimea to the strength of Russia, and because of Russia’s position on the Ukrainian crisis.

Mar 23, 2020
Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea.

Crimea was illegally annexed by Moscow based on an illegitimate referendum. On 27 March 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in which it stated that the referendum in Crimea was not valid and could not serve as a basis for any change in the status of the peninsula. On 17th December 2018, the UN General Assembly confirmed its non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea.

Disinfo: Due to coronavirus, Italy is on the brink of default, many European states will likely cease to exist

The course of events in the next months can change Europe’s political map. Many European countries will likely not get through it, they will merge with bigger ones. Total economic downturns point at their absolute incapability to deal with the crisis. Italy is on the brink of default, and nobody can help it. The EU just does not possess enough money for saving the Italian economy. Everyone will care about himself in the first place. The situation is dramatic, similar events took place in the 1910s, 1920s, 1940s.

Mar 23, 2020
Disproof

This message paints a far-reaching gloomy economic and political scenario which is consistent with a common pro-Kremlin narrative about the EU's imminent collapse. Whereas the economic consequences of coronavirus outbreak for Italy are indeed grave and a sharp economic slowdown is expected, it will not inevitably face default as alleged. At present, no EU country has a credit rating low enough to justify that claim. The EU as a whole enjoys a very high credit rating. Before the coronavirus outbreak it was rated AAA/Aaa/AAA/AAA (outlook stable) by Fitch, Moody’s, DBRS and Scope and AA (outlook stable) by Standard & Poor’s. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that the coronavirus puts EU’s existence into question, that Italy, Spain, Portugal, and possibly even France are in line to exit the EU, that a number of EU countries teeter on the brink of default, and that the EU is rotten and countries are leaving it.