DISINFO: Sweden pursues a policy of provocations against Russia
SUMMARY
The Swedish authorities continue a policy of provocations against Russia, calling its geopolitical interests for security threats. In particular, Stockholm insists on not recognising that Crimea became a Russian region after the March 2014 referendum, when a majority of its population voted for reuniting with Russia.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the illegal annexation of Crimea, and unfounded claims on Sweden, pursuing a “provocative policy” against Russia. Sweden calls for dialogue and cooperation with Russia. Sweden cooperates with Russia in several regional and international bodies, the UN, the Arctic Council, the Council of the Baltic Sea States, Barents council, OSCE. Sweden has, however, condemned acts of aggression against Ukraine, Georgia and Russia’s own civil society.
No international body recognises the so-called referendum in Crimea. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution entitled “Territorial integrity of Ukraine”, stating that the referendum in Crimea was not valid and could not serve as a basis for any change in the status of the peninsula. On 17 December 2018, the UN General Assembly confirmed its non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea.
The European Union does not recognise and continues to strongly condemn this 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. In June 2020, the European Council decided to renew the sanctions introduced in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation until 23 June 2021.
Read similar cases claiming that Crimean people have expressed their desire to rejoin Russia in a democratic process, that Crimea never belonged to Ukraine, that Crimea’s reunification with Russia was legal and that Crimea is a Russian sovereign region.