DISINFO: Ukraine an example of failure and strengthening external control
SUMMARY
The history of post-Soviet Ukraine over the past 30 years is a prime example of failure, imitation of reforms and strengthening of external control. A few countries of the former USSR somehow managed to find their state identity after its collapse. Ukraine did not succeed. Ukraine is still in search of a false identity, and its independence is purely conditional.
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about Ukraine being under "external control." See a similar case here claiming that Ukraine is a colony governed by a puppet regime, and here for a claim about how Ukraine "sold its self to external control".
The claim that Ukraine is a colony or a failed state is unsubstantiated. Ukraine is an internationally recognised sovereign state with its own constitution, democratically elected parliament and president. Pro-Kremlin media outlets often cast doubt 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's Western partners have been providing it with financial and technical assistance.
Ukraine is not controlled by the US, EU or UK, nor by any other foreign government or organisation. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by almost the whole world with Russia as the key exception.
See similar disinformation cases that target Ukraine: that Ukraine became an American colony since the coup; that Ukraine does not exist as a state; that Ukraine will be split up; that Ukraine is a quasi-state with failed economy; or that collapse of Ukraine resulting in the loss of territories may soon happen.