DISINFO: The United States played a key role in organising the protests in Belarus
SUMMARY
The United States is behind the protests in Belarus. According to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), the United States played a key role in the events in Belarus, investing approximately $ 20 million in supporting Belarusian protests in 2019-2020 through NGOs and increasing its sponsorship of Belarusian anti-government forces since the protests began.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Belarus protests and about protests in post-communist countries, presenting them as being organised and controlled from abroad. This narrative claims that protests, disorders and civil uprisings are never manifestations of popular discontent but are “colour revolutions” directed and funded by the West. There is no evidence that the US or other foreign forces are involved in any way in the protests in Belarus. The protests in Belarus erupted to contest the results of the presidential election on the 9th of August, which are considered fraudulent by a large part of Belarusian society. The European Union has also stated that the elections were neither free nor fair. The latest call by the US Belarusian embassy for proposals meant to support civil society development was devoted to projects that contribute to: supporting vulnerable and underserviced groups of the population, inclusive development, and women’s empowerment and gender equality. The guidelines state that grant activities may not violate Belarusian legislation and they may not be used for partisan/political activity. It should be added that the Fund for Belarus Democracy, by The German Marshall Fund of the United States, supported some 650 projects from 2005 to 2014, with grants totaling $8.8 million. “The Fund makes up to 100 small to medium-sized grants every year to civic activists, citizen, and grassroots initiatives, as well as registered nongovernmental organizations in Belarus.” See similar cases claiming that the protesters in Belarus are controlled by foreign centres, that the protests in Belarus are a colour revolution conducted according to a Maidan scenario and that “the United States is behind the protests in Belarus”.