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Disinfo: The West finances Belarusian opposition and NGOs to disrupt Belarus-Russia relations

Summary

The Belarusian opposition is secretly managed by Western institutions, politicians and West-linked NGOs (funded by USAID). Their strategic aim is to disrupt Belarus-Russia relations.

US, Germany, Poland and the Baltic countries are most active in this regard.

Over the last years, the West has been using Ukraine to pressure Belarus more often than before. Ukraine’s role within the broader Western strategy against Belarus is to organise information provocations, to give military training to Belarusian radicals, to support public protests with arms, and to organize breakthroughs to Belarus by groups of Ukrainian militants.

Disproof

Conspiracy theory and recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Western attempts to instigate colour revolutions in EU neighbourhood and to organise a 'Belarusian Maidan'.

The article also follows another disinformation narrative about the destabilising effect of the Ukrainian UATV channel which was allowed to broadcast on Belarus' cable networks. No proof of organized arms trafficking from Ukraine to Belarus or of Belarus border violations by Ukrainian militants.

EU assistance to Belarus aims at improving the quality of life of Belarusian citizens in a tangible and visible manner, by strengthening its economy, governance, connectivity and society. Find out more about the EU assistance to Belarus here.

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publication/media

rubaltic.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 143
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27/03/2019
  • Language/target audience: Russian
  • Country: Russia, Ukraine, Baltic states, Belarus, US, Germany, Poland
  • Keywords: West, US presence in Europe, Colour revolutions, Conspiracy, The West

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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The West attempted to organise a revolution in Belarus using Ukrainian weapons

After 2014, in its attempts to organize a colour revolution in Belarus, the West started using Ukraine more actively than before. In March 2017 Belarusian radical nationals attempted to organise mass disorders in Minsk thanks to Ukraine-originated arms and Ukrainian supporters. A group of fighters tried to break through the border from Ukraine. Grenades and explosives were found in their car.

April 01, 2019
Disproof

Conspiracy theory. The disinformation message is consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the Western attempts to instigate colour revolutions in EU neighbourhood.

Repeating disinformation spread in 2017 in Belarus during the street protests in the spring. In 2017 Belarus' state-owned mass media (BelTA) published an article “Militants staging a provocation detained in Belarus”, with other publications reporting about weapons allegedly confiscated from the accused. Investigators found no evidence to confirm accusations and the criminal prosecution of all those arrested in relation to the case was closed in late November 2017.

Russia saved Belarus from Western bombing like in Yugoslavia

After the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, Belarus was next on the list for Western “democratisation”. However, the West did not dare to apply this scenario against Belarus because of the latter’s military alliance with Russia, a nuclear state. Instead the West decided to undermine Belarusian statehood by financing the opposition. During 25 years of Lukashenko ruling the West undertook at least seven attempts to organize revolution in Belarus. Mass protests after the 2006 presidential election in Belarus were managed from Vilnius and sponsored by the American CIA through Lithuanian State Security Department.

April 01, 2019
Disproof

Conspiracy theory. The disinformation message is consistent with recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the Western attempts to instigate colour revolutions in EU neighbourhood.

No proof of any Western plans to bomb Belarus is provided. The NATO bombing of Yugoslavia was a response to mass ethnic cleansing of Albanians by the Yugoslavian authorities, not attempt of democratisation. No proof of CIA sponsorship of post-election protests in Belarus in 2006 either.

Election fraud is inevitable during the Ukrainian presidential elections

During the Ukrainian presidential elections, electoral fraud is inevitable, because planned networks and various pyramids, voter fraud, purchase of votes by various foundations, funds and so on, have already been worked out.
The Ukrainian government always has the most opportunities for election fraud.
April 01, 2019
Disproof

Unfounded, recurrent pro-Kremlin narrative on the elections in Ukraine. Examples of similar cases, claiming that the elections will be subject to fraud, can be found here and here.

According to the recognised Ukrainian Watchdog- Civil Network "OPORA" and the preliminary observation results, the presidential election in Ukraine on March 31, 2019 "took place in a competitive environment and in compliance with basic standards of genuine elections, whereas cases of breaking national law failed to present any constraints for citizens to exercise their right to vote and be elected."