DISINFO: US and its EU allies pulled off a coup d'état in Kyiv
SUMMARY
In February 2014, after months of protests stemming from President Viktor Yanukovich’s decision to postpone the signing of a controversial association agreement with the European Union, the US and its EU allies successfully pulled off a coup d’état in Kyiv.
RESPONSE
Recurring Russian narrative about coup d'etat in Ukraine. The spontaneous onset of the Euromaidan protests was a reaction of numerous parts of the Ukrainian population to former President Yanukovych’s sudden departure from the Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013. There were democratic Presidential elections held on 25 May 2014 in Ukraine. The OSCE characterised the elections as showing the "clear resolve of the authorities to hold what was a genuine election largely in line with international commitments and with a respect for fundamental freedoms." According to the OSCE, the only areas where serious restrictions were reported were those controlled by separatists, who undertook "increasing attempts to derail the process." This fact was reconfirmed by the parliamentary elections of 26 October 2014. The OSCE characterised the vote as "an amply contested election that offered votes real choice, and a general respect for fundamental freedoms".