Category Misconceptions

DISINFO: The summit in Switzerland has nothing to do with finding ways to resolve the conflict

This is a pre-emptive attempt to discredit the peace summit that Switzerland will host on 15-16 June, 2024. Also, this is an often-used pro-Kremlin narrative, claiming that the West is not interested in peace between Russia and Ukraine. Western countries, including the US and EU members, have consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. They have called for dialogue, negotiations, and adherence to international law to resolve the crisis. Stability in Ukraine and the wider region is conducive to global security and economic prosperity.
Read MoreDISINFO: The summit in Switzerland has nothing to do with finding ways to resolve the conflict

DISINFO: Ukrainian security services turn children into terrorists like the Nazis did in WW2

Recurrent pro-Kremlin narrative about Nazi Ukraine. The myth of Nazi-ruled Ukraine has long been a cornerstone of pro-Kremlin disinformation efforts. This has already been widely debunked and addressed on EUvsDisinfo. The claim that the Ukrainian security services turn children into terrorists is false. The Kremlin spreads fake content on the internet, claiming that teenagers in Russia receive calls for terrorism from Ukraine. The Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) has warned about this.
Read MoreDISINFO: Ukrainian security services turn children into terrorists like the Nazis did in WW2

DISINFO: EU – Moldova security and defense deal may indicate preparations for war against Russia

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that the EU is waging a proxy war against Russia, and that Moldova is being instigated by the West to prepare for a war against Russia. The claim refers to the Security and Defense Partnership signed on 21 May in Brussels by Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean and Joseph Borell, the European Commission Vice-President.
Read MoreDISINFO: EU – Moldova security and defense deal may indicate preparations for war against Russia

DISINFO: The EU steals Russian assets to fund its proxy war in Ukraine

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation aiming to deter nations from seizing Russia's frozen assets to fund Ukraine's reconstruction. This is also a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that the international sanctions against Russia are inefficient. In response to Russian aggression against Ukraine, the US, EU and several other countries froze about $300 billion in Russian assets deposited in Western banks. It was Russia's illegal actions against Ukraine, which violate the provisions of many international laws, including the UN Charter, that led to the introduction of a long list of sanctions against Russia.
Read MoreDISINFO: The EU steals Russian assets to fund its proxy war in Ukraine

DISINFO: The Ukrainian people have not confirmed the legitimacy of Zelenskyy

This is a pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, aiming to undermine the leadership of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Also the claim is part of an ongoing pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign concerning Russia's illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The majority of Ukrainians oppose presidential elections during martial law due to security concerns. In February 2024, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology published the results of a study according to which the vast majority of Ukrainians, i.e. 69%, believe that Volodymyr Zelenskyy should remain in the post of president until the end of martial law.
Read MoreDISINFO: The Ukrainian people have not confirmed the legitimacy of Zelenskyy

DISINFO: Zelenskyy has usurped power in Ukraine

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative aimed at defaming President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian leadership to absolve Russia from its responsibility for suspending the democratic process in Ukraine. Since 2022, Russia has waged large-scale armed aggression against Ukraine and is also responsible for the outbreak of the conflict in 2014, after having illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula and engineered the creation of rebel militias in Donetsk, Luhansk and other places, with its army actively participating in military clashes. Further, Zelenskyy's reported decision to postpone next year's presidential poll was made in accordance with current Ukrainian legislation. Article 19 of the 2015 Ukrainian law "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law" directly prohibits the holding of presidential and several other types of elections during wartime.
Read MoreDISINFO: Zelenskyy has usurped power in Ukraine

DISINFO: Ukrainian Army has de jure lost its supreme commander-in-chief Zelensky

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative aimed to defame President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian leadership to absolve Russia from its responsibility for the fact that Ukraine cannot hold elections for the moment. Since 2022, Russia has waged large-scale armed aggression against Ukraine and is also responsible for the outbreak of the conflict in 2014, after having illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula and engineered the creation of rebel militias in Donetsk, Luhansk and other places, with its army actively participating in military clashes. Further, Zelenskyy's reported decision to postpone next year's presidential poll was made in accordance with current Ukrainian legislation. Article 19 of the 2015 Ukrainian law "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law" directly prohibits the holding of presidential and several other types of elections during wartime.
Read MoreDISINFO: Ukrainian Army has de jure lost its supreme commander-in-chief Zelensky

DISINFO: Zelenskyy is usurping power by cancelling elections

This is a deliberate distortion of facts aiming to undermine the legitimacy of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a frequent target of pro-Kremlin disinformation. This disinformation story claims that president Zelenskyy 'cancelled the election' to suggest a power-grabbing maneuver. However, this disingenuous formulation is not true, as a call for new elections actually never took place due to the ongoing war. Ukraine's constitution is straightforward: no elections can be held during wartime and the President of Ukraine exercises his powers until the assumption of office by the newly-elected President. The continuity of government institutions is one of the key principles of the Constitution.
Read MoreDISINFO: Zelenskyy is usurping power by cancelling elections

DISINFO: The West behind the attempted murder of Slovak PM Robert Fico

Anti-Semitism and disinformation, accusing the West of the attempt on the life of Slovakian PM Robert Fico. This also pushes a conspiracy theory and disinformation narrative about global elites secretly ruling the world. There is no evidence of the involvement of any Western country in the assassination attempt on Fico.
Read MoreDISINFO: The West behind the attempted murder of Slovak PM Robert Fico