DISINFO: "Crimean scenario for Venezuela" under EU's pressure
SUMMARY
EU’s ultimatum to Nicolas Maduro will lead to a “Crimean scenario for Venezuela”. EU is now asking for elections in Venezuela, but if it is unhappy with the results, it may refuse to recognize them, just as it refused to recognize the outcome and the will of Crimean people.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the EU allegedly meddling into elections in third countries. See for example here, here, and here. In the declaration on behalf of the EU on the situation in Venezuela the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, called "for the urgent holding of free, transparent and credible presidential elections". "The presidential elections last May in Venezuela were neither free, fair, nor credible, lacking democratic legitimacy", added Mogherini, emphasising that "the EU stands with the Venezuelan people in this critical hour". The disinformation message also contains recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the West and Crimea. Crimean referendum was organised by a self-proclaimed Crimean leadership installed by armed Russian military personnel following the seizure of public buildings. Russia violated international law as well as key principles of the European security framework by illegally annexing the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol. The European Union does not recognise and continues to strongly condemn this violation of international law, which remains a challenge to the international security order. This position is based on the UN Charter, which clearly states that the territory of a State cannot be acquired by another State resulting from the threat or use of force, as well as on the Helsinki Final Act in which the signatories declared their intention to respect the inviolability of frontiers and territorial integrity. UNGA Resolution 68/262, which condemned Russia's illegal actions in Ukraine, was supported by 100 United Nations member states. Only 10 states opposed it.