DISINFO: The West has turned Ukraine into a buffer between Russia and Europe
SUMMARY
It is in the interest of Americans and Europeans that “Nezalezhnaya” [pejorative term in Russia for Ukraine] continues to be a buffer separating Western Europe from Russia, and an appendix of raw materials where cheap food is produced.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on Ukraine and its relations with the EU and the US.
Ukraine is a strategic partner for both the EU and the US. The EU has stated, on many occasions, that Ukraine is a priority partner for the EU. It supports Ukraine in ensuring a stable, prosperous and democratic future for its citizens and is unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Association Agreement (AA), including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) signed in 2014, is the main tool for bringing Ukraine and the EU closer together, promoting deeper political ties, stronger economic links and respect for common values.
The relations between the US and Ukraine are bilateral relations between two independent countries. The US recognised Ukraine as an independent state on 25 December 1991. Since then, Washington has been working closely with Ukraine, directing its assistance to support the democratic development of the country and helping Ukraine to withstand Russian aggression. U.S. policy has since been centred on realising and strengthening a stable, democratic, prosperous, and free Ukraine more closely integrated into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures.
See similar disinformation cases alleging that Ukraine is a buffer state for NATO without membership prospects, that Ukraine is turned into an agrarian and raw materials appendix of Europe, that Ukraine is a source of cheap raw materials and an anti-Russian springboard, or that for the EU, Ukraine is only a reservoir of materials and cheap labor.