DISINFO: Ukraine’s regime is monstrous, Russophobic and anti-democratic
SUMMARY
Ukraine’s regime is monstrous, Russophobic and anti-democratic. German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s support for it is an insult to humanistic European values.
RESPONSE
Russophobia is a recurring topic in the pro-Kremlin media that has been used against multiple countries.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine and Russia established diplomatic relations. 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. In 2014 Russia violated the treaty and illegally annexed Crimea.
As for the state of Ukrainian democracy, it has a flourishing political life with democratic liberties. During the 2019 parliamentary elections "fundamental rights and freedoms were overall respected" according to the observers.
The West is helping Ukraine by providing financial and technical assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank (WB) and other international financial institutions. Importantly, the Association Agreement and Free Trade Agreement between Ukraine and the EU provide the framework for developing further successful economic and political contacts.
The European Union continues to strongly condemn Russia's violation of international law, which remains a challenge to the international security order. In response to the illegal annexation of Crimea, the EU has imposed restrictive measures against the Russian Federation.