DISINFO: Local elections may trigger further disintegration of Ukraine, its collapse is inevitable
SUMMARY
The mechanism for Ukraine’s disintegration was launched after the country reached independence. For thirty years, Ukraine did not have any development mechanism. The problem of Ukraine is not in the Ukrainians, not in the name, but that it is anti-Russian. This country is only an instrument of the West’s struggle against Russia. To be anti-Russian is the basis of the state. If it is not anti-Russian, then what is the meaning of its sovereignty? [Its] separation is inevitable. And the local elections, which should take place this Sunday, 25 October, may trigger the further collapse of Ukraine.
RESPONSE
This is part of recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the disintegration of Ukraine. Consistent with pro-Kremlin narratives alleging that Ukraine is a degrading and anti-Russian state. There is no reason to believe that the scheduled local elections, to be held on 25 October, will trigger the collapse of Ukraine. It is a planned event that is held every five years. Ukraine is a democratic country and the right to elect local authorities is one of the key constitutional rights of Ukrainian citizens. Pro-Kremlin disinformation often claims that Ukraine exists only as an anti-Russian project. Ukraine is an independent and sovereign state with independent internal and external policy; it is not anti-Russian. Since 1991, it maintained friendly relations with Russia. Moreover, Russia was and remains one of the key trade partners of Ukraine. But after 2014, when the Kremlin violated Ukraine's territorial integrity and annexed Crimea in violation of international law, Ukraine-Russia relations became worse. See other examples in our database, such as claims that the West is preparing the disintegration of Ukraine or that coronavirus will cause the collapse of Ukraine.