DISINFO: Ukraine is becoming an unsolvable problem for US and EU
SUMMARY
On January 6, US senators said in their meeting with representatives of Ukrainian social organisations that Ukraine was becoming an unsolvable problem for the United States and the European Union. In particular, they claimed that President Poroshenko persecuted his political opponents and that the courts were controlled by politicians and oligarchs and were therefore not independent.
RESPONSE
The primary source of information about US senators' meeting with Ukraine's civil society representatives is the article "The Only Way Out For Ukraine Is National Reconciliation Not Political Persecution", marked as "sponsored content" on the website "International Policy Digest" (not registered as media), from January 4, 2019. Russian State agency RIA Novosti resumed the piece on January 6, 2019. RIA Novosti provides hyperlink to "International policy Digest" in its publication. RIA Novosti says: "In particular, the senators said that Ukraine had become an unsolvable problem for the United States and the European Union". But there is no such quotation in the original reporting by "International Policy Digest". "International Policy Digest", referring to "our source who wishes not to be named", announces: "Today, Ukraine is an ally of both the U.S. and the EU, but it is also a failed state at war with Russia and with itself.[...] The courts, which are controlled by these politicians and oligarchs, and, are not truly independent, often render verdicts that advance the agenda that is motivated by efforts to eliminate political opponents rather than advance interests of justice or welfare of the Ukrainian people. The current trial of the former president, Victor Yanukovych, is an example of such extra-legal execution. [...] According to open source and our contacts in the Republican Party, the Trump administration is concerned about growing political persecutions in Ukraine in light of upcoming presidential elections there. [...] Getting Yanukovych involved can be an effective option in reaching a peaceful settlement salvaging Ukraine’s national identity." No official statements on Ukraine as "unsolvable problem", "failed state" or about political prosecution of Victor Yanukovich were formulated by any US senators. Background: The European Union supports Ukraine in ensuring a stable, prosperous and democratic future for all its citizens. The EU is unwavering in its support for the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty and sees the full implementation of the Minsk agreements as the basis for a sustainable, political solution to the conflict in the east of the country. Since spring 2014, the EU has stepped up its support for economic and political reforms in Ukraine.