Ukraine: the myths that won’t die — and why they’re wrong
This Writer did not expect to have to write this article, but it seems some of you would benefit from a crash course on Ukraine: the myths that won’t die — and why they’re wrong.
Over the past few days, in response to an article defending the basic principle that national borders should not be redrawn by force, some readers have flooded social media with misleading claims about the causes of the war in Ukraine.
It’s time to sort fact from fiction.
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Myth 1: The US staged a coup in Ukraine in 2014
The 2014 Maidan Revolution was a popular uprising against then-president Viktor Yanukovych, who abandoned closer ties to Europe in favour of Russia.
While US diplomats like Victoria Nuland did support the protests diplomatically, there was no US military action or coup. Yanukovych fled after ordering violence against protestors.
Ukraine’s parliament — including many of Yanukovych’s own party — voted overwhelmingly to remove him.
Myth 2: Russia is stopping a “genocide” in Donbas
Multiple independent observers, including the United Nations and OSCE, have found no evidence of genocide against Russian-speakers in Ukraine.
There were tensions and discrimination, yes — but calling it genocide is grossly misleading and has been condemned internationally.
Myth 3: Ukraine is a Nazi state
While far-right militias like the Azov Battalion do exist, they are a tiny minority. Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Jewish.
In elections, far-right parties have performed terribly — winning less than two per cent of the vote.
Labelling all of Ukraine as “Nazi” is Russian wartime propaganda.
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Myth 4: NATO promised it wouldn’t expand
There was no treaty barring NATO expansion.
Some verbal comments were made during German reunification talks in 1990 about not expanding into East Germany — but no promises were made about Eastern Europe generally.
Former Soviet states like Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania chose to join NATO later, of their own free will.
(I’ll confess that this surprised me, as I had believed that then-US President Bill Clinton had said in the 1990s that there would be no effort to put NATO bases on the Russian border.)
Myth 5: Ukraine’s government Is controlled by BlackRock, Monsanto, and Wall Street
Western companies like BlackRock are advising Ukraine on post-war reconstruction, which understandably worries people.
However, Ukraine is still governed by Ukrainians.
The narrative of total “corporate control” is a wildly exaggerated conspiracy theory.
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Conclusion:
When wars happen, so does a flood of disinformation.
But no amount of myth-making changes the fundamental truth:
Russia invaded Ukraine, illegally and brutally.
Ukraine has the right to defend its borders.
Supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty is not the same as endorsing every policy of its government.
Don’t fall for easy narratives. Check the facts.
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Victoria Nuland is literally on video choosing who America will “allow” to lead the Ukraine, the war crimes in the Donbas were being investigated by the UN and no one knows exactly how bad they were but its a FACT that area has been bombed since 2014 by their own government simply because they want to remain Russian with the loss of thousands of lives. The Ukraine has a very long history of extreme nazi supporting, Azov are openly nazi with tattoos to prove it and being assimilated into the Ukrainian military by a Jew is hardly shocking these days is it? Ukrainian nazis were used to man concentration camps in WWII, in fact without them Hitler would have had difficulty running them, this is an historical fact. The Ukraine was the most extreme right wing and corrupt country in Europe way before this war. The Minsk Accords of 2014 and 2015 dont exist do they? Whether Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania joined NATO of their own free will or not (and thats highly debatable with America being so invested in building their military bases around Russias border as they have done in China) this is still an encroachment on the Russian border and a DIRECT provocation. Maybe the author of this BS western propaganda should check THEIR facts! What is this rubbish?
Thank you for your comment, but I think there are several important points to clarify.
Victoria Nuland’s Leaked Call:
Yes, the Nuland-Pyatt phone call did show U.S. diplomats discussing Ukraine’s political future. However, it’s crucial to understand that this was happening during a time of mass public protests (the Euromaidan), where Ukrainians were overwhelmingly demanding reforms and a move towards closer ties with the EU. This was not solely an externally driven event—Ukraine’s internal dynamics played a massive role. The phone call, while controversial, was not the sole catalyst for what happened in Ukraine.
See: The Nuland-Pyatt Call – Analysis from The Guardian.
War Crimes in Donbas:
The situation in Donbas is tragic, with both sides of the conflict being accused of committing war crimes. The UN and other international bodies have been involved in investigating these incidents. It’s important to note that Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its involvement in the Donbas conflict have played a major role in escalating the violence. The violence you mention has been compounded by Russian-backed separatists.
See: UN Report on War Crimes in Donbas.
Azov Battalion and Neo-Nazi Allegations:
The Azov Battalion does have a controversial history, with some members previously associated with neo-Nazi ideology. However, it’s important to note that since its incorporation into the Ukrainian National Guard, the group has been significantly restructured and the Ukrainian government has distanced itself from any extremist factions. It is misleading to paint the entire Ukrainian military with the same brush based on the actions of a minority.
See: Azov Battalion’s History and Reformation.
Ukraine’s Historical Associations:
While it’s true that Ukraine has a complex history regarding Nazi collaboration during WWII, it’s important to recognize that Ukraine, like many countries in Eastern Europe, was subject to foreign occupation. Post-war, Ukraine has made significant strides toward becoming a democratic and European-oriented state, particularly since the 1990s. Modern Ukraine is not defined by its WWII history, but by its current democratic aspirations and sovereignty.
See: Historical Context of Ukraine and WWII.
Minsk Accords and NATO Expansion:
The Minsk Accords were designed to bring peace to the Donbas region, but Russia has repeatedly violated the terms of the agreements. NATO’s eastward expansion is a contentious issue, but it is important to recognize that NATO’s expansion was driven by the desire of former Soviet bloc countries to seek security guarantees after decades of Soviet control. These nations chose NATO membership to ensure their sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression.
Supporting link: Minsk Accords Overview; NATO and Eastern Expansion – BBC.
While there are valid concerns regarding Ukraine’s history and the complexities of the current conflict, the broader picture involves both external and internal factors, including Russia’s aggressive actions. It’s vital to consider the full range of perspectives and sources before coming to any definitive conclusions.