DISINFO: Euromaidan was a coup by radicals
SUMMARY
Radicals took advantage of people's discontent with corruption, and this led to a coup in Euromaidan.
RESPONSE
Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Euromaidan in Ukraine in 2014. There was no coup, nor a western orchestrated protest in Ukraine.
The demonstrations which began in Kyiv in November 2013 – called "Maidan", or "Euromaidan" – were a result of the Ukrainian people's frustration with former President Yanukovych. The protesters' demands included constitutional reform, a stronger role for parliament, the formation of a government of national unity, an end to corruption, early presidential elections and an end to violence.
Ukraine's government changed its relations toward Russia after the latter illegally annexed Crimea, which is part of Ukraine, through a non-recognised referendum, announced on 27 February 2014, and held on gunpoint on 16 March 2014. The UN described it as not valid and stated that it could not serve as a basis for any change in the status of the peninsula. In its turn, the EU continues to strongly condemn this violation of international law and has responded by imposing restrictive measures against the Russian Federation.
See similar disinformation cases claiming that Euromaidan protests were organised by foreign governments: the US and the EU conspired to overthrow Viktor Yanukovych, Obama staged a coup in Ukraine.
Ukraine's government changed its relations toward Russia after the latter illegally annexed Crimea, which is part of Ukraine.
See similar disinformation cases claiming that Euromaidan protests were organised by foreign governments: the US and the EU conspired to overthrow the legitimately elected President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, Obama staged a coup in Ukraine.