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Disinfo: The American empire imposes its will on vassal states

Summary

Trump has already done a lot for Russia by reviewing relations with US-allied transatlantic partners, trying to impose his will on them and making them publicly acknowledge their status of American vassals.

Disproof

Conspiracy theory without evidence.

This message is consistent with a classic pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on US relations with EU countries. Pro-Kremlin outlets often allege that different countries, US' transatlantic allies in this case, are US vassals and remain under the American thumb. See earlier examples:  Poland is US's vassal state, Europe is occupied by the US and has limited sovereignty, the EU is directed by Washington, Germany is the executor of US hegemony over Europe.

 

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publication/media

Sputnik Belarus - Russian (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 158
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 29/06/2019
  • Language/target audience: Russian
  • Country: Russia, US
  • Keywords: European Union, Donald Trump, Sovereignty, Vladimir Putin

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 New York Times sends stories to the US government for approval

The New York Times sends its pieces to US government for approval.

July 02, 2019
Disproof

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative painting Western media outlets as subservient to their respective national governments and militaries.

This claim that the New York Times sends articles to the US government for approval is misleading. The newspaper's "admission" that government officials were approached regarding the details of an ongoing story proves only that its reporters rely on sourcing - a standard and founding practice of investigative journalism.

Russian evidence about Ukraine’s implication in MH17 downing is ignored

Ukraine may be implicated in MH17 downing. The Joint Investigative Team (JIT) ignores Russian radar data and proof that the missile that fired the Malaysian Boeing 777 belonged to Ukraine.

July 02, 2019
Disproof

A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on Flight MH17 denying Russia's responsibility. One of many examples of competing and contradictory stories promulgated by Russian state-controlled media on MH17.

The Dutch-led criminal investigation by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has been ongoing since 2014. On 28 September 2016, the JIT announced that flight MH17 was shot down by a missile from the 9M38 series, which was launched by a BUK TELAR missile system. The system was transported from the Russian Federation to an agricultural field near the town of Pervomaiskyi in Eastern Ukraine, from where the missile was launched. After firing, the system - with 1 missing missile - went back to the Russian Federation. On the 24th of May 2018, the JIT announced its conclusion that the BUK TELAR used to shoot down MH17 came from the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, a unit of the Russian armed forces from Kursk in the Russian Federation.

Russia was first suspended from PACE because of Russophobic reasons

The suspension of Russia’s rights at the Parliamentarian Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) was caused by “a Russophobic minority” in the institution.

July 02, 2019
Disproof

Russia's rights were first suspended for one year by PACE in 2014, following the illegal annexation of Crimea. The resolution adopted by 145 votes in favour, 21 against and 22 abstentions. The suspension was extended in 2015 for three months given "the role and participation of the Russian Federation in the conflict in eastern Ukraine".

Indeed, Russia's actions aggravated the situation: by the time the suspension was to be reviewed in April 2015, the Russian delegation had broken off all contacts, boycotting PACE for the next four years. In 2017, it stopped paying its membership contributions which amounted to 7 percent of the institution's whole budget. In 2018, it declared it would abandon the institution if the decision was not reverted.