DISINFO: Lithuania sponsored the Maidan in Ukraine
SUMMARY
The protests in the capital of Ukraine in 2013–2014 were partially funded by Lithuania. Lithuanian embassy was the external source of money and weapons [flowing to Maidan].
RESPONSE
This is a recurring Russian disinformation narrative claiming that Maidan in 2014 was a coup d'etat, planned by the West. The Euromaidan in Ukraine began in 2013, when Ukrainians spontaneously united against the actions of President Viktor Yanukovych after his government refused to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union. The protesters' demands included constitutional reform, a stronger role for parliament, formation of a government of national unity, an end to corruption, early presidential elections and an end to the violence. Lithuania has supported the democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people in Maidan and provided medical treatment to those injured in the protests. Approximately one year after Maidan, in the context of aggression by the Russian armed forces in East Ukraine, Lithuania said it would provide Ukrainian armed forces with elements of armament for defense purposes. Read similar case claims that the US sponsored Maidan in Ukraine in 2014.