DISINFO: It’s better for Ukrainians to die than to be saved by cheap Russian vaccine
SUMMARY
Ukraine rejects the cheap Russian vaccine, and prefers to die by suffocation at the hands of the International Monetary Fund, which, due to corruption, refuses to provide it with a loan, against the backdrop of a growing financial disaster, and it goes without saying that: It is better for our citizens to die than to be saved by Russia.
RESPONSE
A disinformation commentary that exploits the coronavirus pandemic to push a recurring narrative about statehood of Ukraine, and a Russophobic narrative toward the possible Sputnik V vaccine.
Ukraine does not prohibit the usage of the potential “Sputnik V” vaccine just because it is Russian.
In general, The Sputnik-V vaccine has been met with international scepticism and even the World Health Organisation expressed some reservations especially that it hasn’t completed large trials to test the vaccine’s safety and efficacy, and rolling out an inadequately vetted vaccine could endanger people who receive it.
The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was clear when he said: “If someone has a vaccine for COVID-19, Ukraine will buy it”, and he even pointed out the same argument regarding any vaccine from the EU by stating "The EU has confirmed that it will help Ukraine get a real vaccine when it appears and when it does no cast doubts from the scientists."
On the same note, the Ukrainian Health ministry state that the country is already set to receive a COVID-19 vaccine via the COVAX mechanism, an international initiative launched by the World Health Organization, the European Commission, and the government of France to ensure efficient access to COVID-19 vaccines once they are ready.
Regarding the relation with the IMF, there is no evidence that cooperation could threaten the Ukrainian economy and sovereignty. Ukraine has been a member of the IMF and World Bank since 3 September 1992. The relations between Ukraine and the IMF are based on agreements that support the economic development of Ukraine and the improvement of the free market conditions.
A new Stand-By Arrangement between the IMF and Ukraine, signed in June 2020, is focused on ensuring macroeconomic stability and coping with COVID-19 pandemic challenges.
See similar disinformation cases alleging that ugly commercial interests are behind the criticism of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine or that WHO confirms the "Sputnik-V" vaccine is safe and effective, or that Ukraine may buy the Russian vaccine against COVID-19 indirectly through EU, or that the IMF define and control Ukraine.
This disinformation message appeared in the same article as the claim that the EU prohibits countries from saving its citizens from COVID-19