DISINFO: US provokes Russia into an escalation in Donbas to impose sanctions, disrupt Nord Stream 2
SUMMARY
Almost all European media write that the US aims to provoke Russia into an escalation in Donbas and probably the invasion of Ukraine to impose sanctions and disrupt Nord Stream 2.
RESPONSE
A recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets. Some European media may have really written about it in this manner. However, 1) this cannot be interpreted as 'almost all' and 2) the escalation in Donbas was brought about not by alleged US provocations, but by Russia’s recent boosting its military presence along the Ukrainian eastern borders and in the illegally annexed peninsula of Crimea, as well as amassing its troops in Belarus under the pretext of joint military exercises to be held in September.
While building up its troops along the border, Russia is threatening Ukraine, alleging that it will be forced to intervene and defend its citizens if the Ukrainian Armed Forces attack the Donbas separatists. In 2019, Russia started a massive passportisation campaign in the occupied territories of Ukrainian Donbas. The Kremlin seems to play a repeat the Crimea scenario, when bearers of Russian passports were claimed purported victims of aggression, and illegally annexed the Ukrainian peninsula in 2014. The claim, however, was never documented by Russian authorities or human rights organisations.
It is no secret that the US is opposing the construction of Nord Stream 2. The disinformation message mentioned this article from The Spectator. It really says that the United States opposes this project and that sanctions are an option, but there is not a single word in it about the US allegedly provoking Russia into invading Ukraine. The words Ukraine, Kyiv or Donbas were not even mentioned there. Other European media also issue articles and analyses about the US and Nord Stream 2, but without allegations that Washington is attempting to provoke Russia into invading Ukraine (read here and here). It should also be noted that the US administration recently decided not to sanction further key persons and entities connected to the Nord Stream 2.
Moscow has recently accused Kyiv of breaking the Minsk Agreements, while Ukraine has been increasing the number of its troops in the east only to repel a tentative Russian attack. Russian media distorted a statement by Ukraine’s commander in chief, General Ukrainian Ruslan Khomchak, who said that Ukraine was ready for war with Russia. What Chomchak said was the following:
“Our joint aim -- to win the war with the aggressor, to ensure a sustained peace and to restore the territorial integrity -- requires consolidation of the efforts of the entire Ukrainian people”.
He meant that Ukraine was ready to defend itself, not to attack Russia first.
Read a similar case, alleging that the US deliberately provoked Russia into invading Ukraine to impose sanctions.