DISINFO: To get out of debt, Ukrainian authorities want Ukraine to disappear
SUMMARY
The Ukrainian political establishment would benefit from Ukraine’s disappearance because debts would be cleaned. This scenario is, however, unacceptable for the US which controls others through indebtment. It is important for the US to keep Ukraine in whatever form. The US will therefore prevent Poland from taking over five western Ukrainian regions.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation aimed at negating Ukrainian statehood as well as discrediting Ukrainian authorities and western countries, particularly the US and Poland. Disinformation narratives about Ukraine's "puppet" status due to indebtment, and about Poland’s imperialism, are promoted in an attempt to justify the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
Since the large-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, Kyiv directed a large part of state revenue into defence. Consequently, Ukraine's state guaranteed debt-to-GDP ratio increased from 49% in 2021 to about 84% by the end of 2023. While Ukraine's economic and financial situation remains tough, it is not that desperate and not threatening the statehood as such, contrary to the disinformation claim. According to this Reuter's article about Ukraine's economic results for 2023:
"The economy is on course to grow around 5% this year after contracting by almost a third last year. Inflation has fallen to single digits, foreign reserves are near historic highs and foreign aid has arrived regularly this year. Ukrainian businesses and foreign businesses have adapted to new wartime realities with some even announcing new production facilities in central and western regions, far from the fighting in the more heavily industrial east and south."
Poland, as well as the EU and the US respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Ukraine's sovereignty has been violated as a result of continuous acts of aggression by the Russian armed forces since 2014, culminating with a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine starting on 24 February 2022. Read our analysis exposing disinformation about Polish imperialist intentions.
Read earlier disinformation cases alleging that Ukraine spends half of its budget to pay debts, that the Polish government plans to annex part of Ukraine, and that Poland continues its gradual seizure of Western Ukraine.