DISINFO: The West has made Ukraine its colony and is using Ukrainians as cannon fodder
SUMMARY
For years the West has been shamelessly draining and exploiting Ukraine's resources, inciting genocide and terror in the Donbas, turning the country into a virtual colony, and now cynically using the Ukrainian people as cannon fodder, a battering ram against Russia, continuing to supply Ukraine with arms and ammunition, sending mercenaries, and driving the country on a suicidal path.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative alleging that Ukraine is a Western "tool" against Russia. The article also undermines the Ukrainian statehood, portraying Ukraine as a puppet of the West. The claim aims to deflect any Russian responsibility for the unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on 24 February 2022.
The claim that Ukraine is controlled or ‘colonised’ by the Western contries is unsubstantiated. Pro-Kremlin media outlets often cast doubts on Ukrainian statehood and claim that Ukraine either does not exist as a state or is going to tumble down very soon. In reality, present-day Ukraine has been on the world map since 1991 when the Soviet Union disintegrated. It has elected six presidents since then and changed parties in government several times which illustrates political diversity and democratic dynamics even during economic hardship in the wake of Russian aggression in 2014.
Ukraine is not controlled by the US, EU or any other foreign organisation or government. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by most of the world but were violated by Russia from 2014. Western countries are only supporting lethal military aid and financial aid to Ukraine for the country’s efficient self-defence against the unprovoked Russian invasion.
Ukraine receives weapons with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Western instructors are teaching Ukrainian soldiers how to use modern weaponry, but there are no NATO troops fighting on the front. NATO condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia's war on Ukraine. NATO as an organisation is not involved in fighting in Ukraine. In fact, Western actions adopted against Russia, such as sanctions or diplomatic measures, are a reaction to these actions including the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula, the long-term destabilisation of Ukraine or the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of this peaceful country.
See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.