DISINFO: West tries to create a belt of instability around Russia
SUMMARY
They (The West) are trying to create a belt of instability around us (Russia), forcing our closest neighbours and brotherly peoples to choose: either you are with the West or with the Russian Federation.
They are trying to contain Russia and the surrounding lands in military and economic ways.
This Western influence has been clearly manifested in Ukraine, and in recent months, an attempt has been made to transfer the methods of the colour revolutions to Belarus."
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative that paints all manifestations of popular discontent as colour revolutions, alleging that the West is attempting to encircle Russia and create instability around Russia. No evidence is provided to support the allegations.
Western countries did not organise protests in Belarus. Large-scale protests by ordinary citizens began in Minsk to contest the results of the presidential election in Belarus on 9 August 2020, which were not monitored by independent experts, and are largely considered fraudulent by both international observers and a large part of the Belarusian society. People revolted against election fraud and police violence towards thousands of rally participants.
A similar situation happened in Ukraine and the so-called “colour revolution” never happened in Kyiv. The spontaneous popular protests known as Euromaidan arose within Ukrainian society against the actions of President Viktor Yanukovych after his government refused to sign the Association Agreement with the EU due to pressure from Russia. The protesters' demands included constitutional reform, a stronger role for parliament, the formation of a government of national unity, an end to corruption, early presidential elections and an end to violence.
Read more about the concept of "colour revolutions" in the pro-Kremlin media here.
See similar disinformation cases in our database: the West pursues an anti-Russian campaign to encircle and destabilise Russia; or that Americans and Europeans are orchestrating protests around the world; or that Colour revolution in Belarus failed, that the West pursues a Maidan policy towards Belarus to encircle Russia.