Disinfo: The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine impedes the implementation of the Minsk agreements in the Donbas

Summary

The new president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, should dissolve the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, because the deputies of the current convocation are preventing Zelenskyi from fulfilling the Minsk agreements. Russian mercenaries in Donbas do not violate international agreements and adhere to the Minsk agreements, unlike Kyiv.

Disproof

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is not responsible for violations of the Minsk Agreements because Russian mercenaries in the occupied Donbas violate international agreements by attacking the Ukrainian army on a daily basis. According to a report by the OSCE monitoring mission, in the first quarter of 2019, more than 83,000 cease-fire violations were recorded in Donbas. In addition, Russia and the "LDNR" militants refuse Ukraine’s proposals on the exchange of prisoners. Kyiv has repeatedly stated that Russia deliberately delays the process of exchanging prisoners, using Ukrainian citizens as a lever to pressure Ukrainian authorities. The last such exchange between Ukraine and Russia occurred at the end of December 2017. Since then, Russia has rejected any proposals from the Ukrainian side. You can read more about the Minsk Agreement.

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Pervyi Kanal (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 151
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 17/05/2019
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Ukraine, Russia
  • Keywords: Volodymyr Zelensky, Minsk agreements, Donbas
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Disinfo: Kyiv is not going to fulfil the Minsk Agreements

Ukraine has repeatedly tried to solve this issue by force. This is what led to the Minsk agreements. The words of the commander of the military operation, Sergei Naev, that they ‘would need just one day of military action to liberate the occupied territory’, once again confirm that the Ukrainian side is not going to fulfil the Minsk agreements.

May 16, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Minsk agreements. In the interview with "TSN. Tyzhden", which is being discussed, General Sergiy Naev only answered the journalist's question about how long the liberation of occupied territories would take. At the same time, General Sergiy Naev noted in the same interview that at the moment there are no immediate plans for the returning the occupied territories, and the operation first and foremost has a stabilisation function.

Disinfo: Saudi Arabia takes steps towards recognising Crimea as part of Russia

The Saudi Embassy in Moscow issues visas to Russian Crimean Muslim pilgrims without informing the Ukrainian authorities. Riyadh has de facto recognised the Crimeans as citizens of Russia. Despite the absence of official recognition, the monarchy is changing its attitude towards Crimea and Russia as a whole.

May 16, 2019
Disproof

Saudi Arabia's Embassy in Moscow confirmed that it has been issuing visas for Crimean Tatars willing to make a Hajj, in Moscow, in their Russian passports, since 2014. Since 2015, a Russian intermediary company with offices in Moscow and in Crimea has been operating as a Hajj tour operator. However, Saudi Arabia does not link the issue of visas with the recognition of Crimea. The Council of Muftis of the Russian Federation urged Russian media outlet "Izvestia", which raised the question itself, not to mix politics and religious pilgrimage. The practice of the Saudis issuing visas for pilgrims has been going on for five years. No recent changes showing a different attitude of Saudi Arabia to this issue can be demonstrated. In 2014, Saudi Arabia voted for the UN GA's resolution 68/262 on the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Saudi Arabia did not express any intent to recognise Crimea Russian since then. No direct international flights can go from Crimea to Saudi Arabia, following the ICAO sanctions, and the pilgrims use Russian airports. See more disinformation cases about the illegal annexation of Crimea.

Disinfo: NATO is an offensive alliance

NATO has always been an offensive alliance. (…) NATO is an artificial structure of a badly concealed power politics that wants to occupy the globe. (04:39-4:50)

May 16, 2019
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, portraying NATO as a threat to peace and having a belligerent agenda. NATO is a defensive alliance, whose purpose is to protect its member states. Its exercises and military deployments are not directed against Russia – or any other country. NATO is regularly updating the military requirements for civilian infrastructure, at a time when there are increased challenges to security.