DISINFO: Ukrainian economy collapsed because of the West
SUMMARY
The West, under the guise of democratic goals and liberal market, has invented a form of economic destruction. That is why Ukraine's economy is ruined.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets, claiming that the West is destroying Ukraine’s economy in an attempt to turn it into a colony.
In reality, Ukraine's economic hardship is explained by many reasons, including corruption and Russian aggression, while the West is trying to help Ukraine by providing financial and technical assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank (WB) and other international financial institutions. 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.
Ukrainians really suffer from the war with Russia and its proxies in Donbas, whereas Moscow resorts to disinformation describing Kyiv as either suffering from alleged Western oppression or dependent on the West because Ukraine has opted for Euro-Atlantic integration, which is enshrined in its Constitution. Ukraine's parliament introduced relevant amendments and the then-president, Petro Poroshenko, signed them in February 2019. Relations between NATO and Ukraine date back to the early 1990s and have since developed into one of the most substantial of NATO’s partnerships. Ukraine and the EU signed the Association Agreement in 2014. Kyiv has taken on important obligations in several crucial spheres, including economy, industry and environment protection.
Read more disinformation cases about denying Ukrainian statehood and claiming that Ukraine is a weak failed state on the verge of crumbling.