DISINFO: The EU helps militarising Ukraine
SUMMARY
The European Union joined the process of militarising Ukraine. On 2 December, the Council of the EU decided to grant EUR 31 million to Ukraine for "military and technological assistance". This will not contribute to the peace in the Donbas.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative alleging that the West is not contributing to peace in Eastern Ukraine.
The Council of the EU did grant Ukraine EUR 31 million on 2 December 2021. However, the funds are mainly for the military to provide services to the civilian population in crises or emergency situations. It will finance military medical units, including field hospitals, engineering, mobility and logistics units, and cyber support. Moreover, EUR 31 million is minuscule compared to Ukraine's 2021 defence budget of EUR 8.5 billion and the money will not be spent on operations in the Donbas.
Moreover, Russia is the reason why Ukraine needs military assistance. Even though officially a state of war between Russia and Ukraine has never been announced, there is irrefutable evidence of direct Russian military involvement in Eastern Ukraine since February 2014. The involvement of Russian personnel and equipment has been well documented for years and includes firing artillery over the border into Ukraine, the deployment of armoured vehicles and troops in contested provinces of Eastern Ukraine, the use of non-state actors such as Russian private military companies, and the launching of thousands of cyber attacks against Ukrainian targets.
See similar examples of disinformation about war in Ukraine: NATO arm’s deliveries nudge Ukraine towards a military solution in Donbas; The US desperately needs a “little war” with Russia; Pushes Ukraine toward escalation; Ukraine is looking for the war, as the Government needs a controlled conflict.