DISINFO: Ukraine is a failed state because its economic model is not viable
SUMMARY
Ukraine is a failed state because its economic model, which presupposes the absence of interaction with Russia, is not viable.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukrainian statehood, claiming that Ukraine is a failed state.
The claim that Ukraine is a failed state 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's Western partners have been providing it with financial and technical assistance.
Ukraine's economic hardship is explained by many reasons, including corruption and Russian aggression, while the West is helping Ukraine by providing financial and technical assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank (WB) and other international financial institutions. Importantly, the Association Agreement and Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and the EU provide the framework for developing further successful economic and political contacts.
Russia’s hybrid aggression is not limited to military action against Ukraine. It also includes a hostile economic policy, a massive disinformation campaign and support of pro-Kremlin forces inside Ukraine, including pro-Kremlin media.
The Ukrainian economy has been affected by the recession of the 1990s, the world economic and financial crisis in 2008-2009, and the crisis provoked by the Russian military intervention in Ukraine that started in 2014. In 2015, Ukraine's economy started to recover. Ukraine has improved its industry and agriculture, opened new export markets in Europe, Asia, and Africa, it has signed free trade agreements with the EU and Canada, and is negotiating agreements with Turkey and Israel. Ukraine’s gross domestic product (GDP) has exceeded the pre-Independence levels in 2005 and was at an all-time high in 2013. Moreover, Ukraine's GDP per person has been improving steadily since 2015 and as of 2019 was the largest in Ukrainian history (considering the 2020 year was affected by the pandemic).