Disinfo: Western countries prohibit COVID-19-affected countries from contacting Russia for help

Summary

The principle of “everyone for himself” triumphs. The notorious Euro-Atlantic solidarity turned out to be more expensive than the lives and health of tens of thousands of ordinary citizens. Тhe West has an inhumane approach to the coronavirus pandemic. Western countries are trying to take advantage of the situation to punish governments that they dislike. For example, prohibiting a number of Western states from turning to Russia for humanitarian aid.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative aiming to discredit Western countries and the EU response to the coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 outbreak constituted a serious challenge to Europe's readiness for a crisis. However, the European Union is anyway supporting the Member States in addressing the crisis and mitigating 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 the 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 the first-ever stockpile of medical equipment. Read more about the EU's response here and here. On the 26th of April Economy Commissioner, Paolo Gentiloni said that a recovery fund to help EU countries weather the coronavirus’ economic impact should be worth €1.5 trillion and be available by mid-September. Russian propaganda continues to push the message that the west is prohibiting countries to ask for aid from Russia without any pieces of evidence provided. See similar case and further debunk here.

Go to search

publication/media

ru.armeniasputnik.am (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 200
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 28/05/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: EU, US, Russia
  • Keywords: coronavirus, humanitarian aid, West, Europe
see more

Disinfo: The people of Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan are "biomaterial" for the Pentagon

The people of Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan are “biomaterial” for the Pentagon. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, there are 12 (American) laboratories in Armenia, 15 in Ukraine, 15 in Georgia and 4 in Kazakhstan. No matter what is written on the paper. It is clear that the purpose of such laboratories is to create biological weapons against the peoples of the former Soviet Union. The existence of such biolaboratories in the United States is prohibited.

May 27, 2020
Disproof

This is a recurring conspiracy theory alleging that the United States develops biological weapons and has secret biological laboratories around the world. Consistent with the Pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign against biological laboratories in Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine and other countries. The conspiracy about US biolabs in countries bordering Russia aiming to encircle Moscow and spread infectious diseases is a part of a years-long disinformation campaign led by the Kremlin. In fact, biological laboratories are involved in preventing the risks of complex diseases and, together with other similar projects, counteracting bioterrorism. In Ukraine, the claim often refers to the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU), which is an intergovernmental organisation established in an international agreement in 1993. Its mission is to support civilian science, technology partnerships and collaboration through chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risk mitigation. The projects of STCU partners include research on adjuvant for improvement of cancer vaccines, detecting trace impurities in biological tissues, human vision diagnostics, and therapy among many others.

In Georgia, it is the Richard Lugar Centre for Public Health Research, which is a facility of the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC). It is a top-tiered institution in NCDC’s laboratory network and serves as a reference laboratory for Georgia’s public health system. Read more about the disinformation campaign surrounding the Lugar Laboratory on Myth Detector.

Disinfo: The US/NATO defense systems in Eastern Europe can be used to destroy Russian defense potential

The multipurpose ocean system “Poseidon” is Russia’s asymmetric response to the dangerous concentration of the Pentagon and NATO’s strike potential in Eastern Europe. And to the formation of a US missile defense system there, which can be used to destroy the defense potential of the Russian Federation.

May 27, 2020
Disproof

Speculative statements, an attempt to justify the creation of weapons of mass destruction as a response to an alleged threat from NATO. Consistent with the recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on NATO belligerence towards Russia. NATO's missile defence system is defensive and not directed against Russia. Bilateral agreements between the US and host nations do not allow missile sites to be used for any purpose other than missile defence. NATO's exercises and military deployments in the Eastern Europe not directed against Russia – or any other country. Exercises are designed to ensure that NATO forces are trained, able to operate together and ready to respond to any threat from any direction. NATO has reached out to Russia consistently, transparently and publicly over the past 29 years. The allegation about NATO's plans to wage a war against Russia was addressed on NATO's official website: "Any claims that NATO is preparing an attack on Russia are absurd." NATO is a defensive alliance and does not pose a threat to Russia. Its purpose is to protect its member states. Every country that joins NATO undertakes to uphold its principles and policies, and this includes the commitment that "the Alliance does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia," as reaffirmed at the Brussels Summit. For more information about NATO-Russia relations and disinformation narratives about NATO, see here and here. Here you can see other examples of disinformation on NATO alleged goals in Crimea and its intentions to introduce a fleet to the Azov Sea, provocations against Russia in the Black Sea or the dangers created by the Alliance’s activities in those waters, preparations for big war, NATO provokes Russia in the Black Sea region.

Disinfo: Kyiv occupants are robbing residents of citizens of the Donetsk region

UNs report on the human rights situation in Ukraine for the period16 November 2019 to 15 February 2020 says that most civilian victims of the conflict in 2019 are in the self-proclaimed republics. Therefore, it can be inferred that they were bombed by the Ukrainian occupying forces.

May 27, 2020
Disproof

Recurrent disinformation about the illegitimacy of Kyiv to control the Donbas and eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian armed forces represent the legal government and cannot be considered "occupying forces". Parts of the region is under control of Russian forces and separatist entities. The UN report expresses criticism on behalf of all parties for failing to protect civilians in areas adjacent to the separation line. The full report can be found here:

OHCHR remains gravely concerned by continued arbitrary detention, torture and illtreatment of conflict-related detainees, both in Government-controlled territory and in territory controlled by the self-proclaimed ‘republics’.