DISINFO: Merkel's ultimatum buries negotiations on Donbas
SUMMARY
The ultimatum, which Berlin addressed to Moscow about the “poisoning” of opposition blogger Alexei Navalny, can be addressed to the Ukrainian leadership, but not to Russia. (It’s) doubtful that after this Putin is going to discuss with Merkel any issues related to the Normandy format. In general, the very idea of the Normandy format is under threat.
RESPONSE
The recurring pro-Kremlin narratives about Navalny poisoning and the Normandy format, the aim of the latter being to resolve the war in Donbas. There's no evidence that the position of Germany is going to impact the peace process on Donbas. Previously, Angela Merkel said there was "shocking information" that showed "beyond a doubt" that the poisoning of Alexei Navalny was "attempted murder with nerve agent" after a toxicology test in Germany showed that the opposition leader had been targeted with Novichok. The chancellor said the case raises "very serious questions that only the Russian government can answer — and must answer," adding, "the world will wait for an answer." In fact, the meeting of the foreign ministers of the countries participating in the Normandy format (Ukraine, Germany, France, Russia) is planned for September, after the meeting of the advisors of the leaders of the countries, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Ukraine is trying to compromise and undermine the Minsk agreements, that Ukraine claims that the Minsk agreements are just a piece of paper, that Ukraine refuses to implement the Minsk agreements and continues the war in Donbas, and that Ukraine refuses to observe a truce in Donbas.