DISINFO: Ukraine has become a neocolony of the West
SUMMARY
After Euromaidan, Ukraine moved from the stage of dependence on the West to the stage of the neocolonies of the West – complete external management while formally maintaining the status of an independent state.
RESPONSE
This narrative is consistent with common pro-Kremlin narratives about the aggressive West and Ukraine as a non-sovereign country. Ukraine is recognised by international law as a sovereign nation-state, with its own flag, nationality, language and with a democratically-elected president and parliament. The EU, the US, and other Western partners support the democratic development of Ukraine in accordance with the UN Charter’s principles of non-interference into internal affairs and respect towards territorial integrity and political independence. The US policy is centred on realising and strengthening a stable, democratic, prosperous and free Ukraine, more closely integrated into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures. The EU, on its side, 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. Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty are, however, violated by continuous acts of aggression by the Russian armed forces, ongoing since February 2014. See earlier propaganda and disinformation cases alleging that Europe is occupied by the US and has limited sovereignty, that the Eastern Partnership aims to erode Belarusian identity and promote the views of Polish gentry, and that Ukraine is an anti-Russian project of the CIA.