DISINFO: Signing the EU Association Agreement in 2013 would have destroyed Ukraine's industry
SUMMARY
Signing the EU Association Agreement would have essentially killed off all Ukrainian industry. What the EU proposed to Ukraine, this is what is apparently being realised now – this was tantamount to the destruction of all key industries that the Soviet Ukraine once prided itself on.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on EU-Ukraine relations.
Ukraine is a priority partner for the European Union (EU). The EU supports Ukraine in ensuring a stable, prosperous and democratic future for its citizens and is unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The Association Agreement (AA), including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) signed in 2014, is the main tool for bringing Ukraine and the EU closer together, promoting deeper political ties, stronger economic links and respect for common values. Ukraine continues an ambitious reform programme to accelerate economic growth and improve the livelihoods of its citizens.
To assist Ukraine in this endeavour, the EU and European Financial Institutions have mobilised over €15 billion in grants and loans since 2014 to stabilise Ukraine’s economy, to support comprehensive reforms and to help improve the lives of its citizens.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU has mobilised a €190 million support package for Ukraine. In July 2020, the EU also provided €105 million to Ukraine to support small and medium enterprises, small farms and reforms implementation. The EU also encourages investments in other sectors of Ukrainian economy.
See other disinformation cases in our database relating to the statehood of Ukraine: that the West controls Ukrainian economy and pumps out its resources, that the EU Association Agreement made Ukraine a colony of the EU, that Ukraine is a fake country and Ukrainian ideology was created to split the Russian nation, and that Ukraine is a collapsing, degrading state with no sovereignty and rule of law.