DISINFO: Ukraine is an anti-Russian, Russophobic country
SUMMARY
Any president of Ukraine becomes a hostage of a Ukrainian ideology, of the ideology of the "Ukraine" project. And this ideology, initially, is Russophobic and the project "Ukraine" is initially an "anti-Russia" project.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Russophobia in Ukraine. The disinformation is designed to sow discord among the different groups of citizens in Ukraine.
Ukraine is not an anti-Russian country. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine and Russia established diplomatic relations and signed a number of important treaties. On 31 May 1997, the countries signed a comprehensive Friendship Treaty. As a result, Russia recognised Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also recognised that Crimea belongs to Ukraine but violated the treaty in 2014 when Russia occupied and illegally annexed Crimea.
The rights of Russian-speaking citizens are equally guaranteed by the Ukrainian constitution and legislation including the use of language and education opportunities .
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