Russian Media Discrediting Ukraine in Latin America

An example of Brazil

 

Kateryna Vakarchuk

Fake news, which is increasingly intertwined with the systemic processes of human existence, has today become an integral part of it, influencing modern international relations. The “loosening” of the consciousness of the masses and the ideological “brainwashing” of the population are carried out both by traditional methods and by modern technologies. For example, it has already become popular, in influencing public opinion to use virtual characters and bots in social networks, to promote “heroes” who lead certain processes. The Russian-Ukrainian conflict is no exception. It is thanks to various channels of communication and transmission of information that false data about the real facts of Russian aggression against Ukraine are delivered to the most remote corners of the planet.

It would seem such a distant continent as South America, but even there the “the Kremlin’s paws” got in the form of propaganda channels and false publications! And for more than a year now they have been trying to undermine Ukraine’s international image and discredit the image of its patriots. For example, the Russia Today TV channel has been broadcasting in Spanish in Spain, Latin America and the United States for almost 10 years. It is this TV channel that most actively inserts “proper” information in order to misinform the audience, including in South America. And although in Latin American countries, in particular in Brazil or Argentina, there are the largest Ukrainian diasporas that could resist such disgrace, they still cannot do so because they do not have sufficient political influence. Especially as over the last decade, Ukraine has reduced its presence in the region, losing some of its representative functions, which, frankly, is a huge mistake of Ukrainian diplomacy.

In total, since the start of the war with the Russian aggressor in 2014, Ukraine has lost almost three dozen countries’ international support in the UN Security Council. Unfortunately, our Ukrainian diplomacy is outside such a promising direction in foreign policy. And although exports from Ukraine to Brazil increased by 65 % last year, this cannot be considered a great achievement. After all, about 1 million Ukrainians live in that country, and there are Ukrainian Saturday schools and unions. But they cannot resist the narratives of Russian propaganda, which actively discredit the image of Ukraine as an independent and sovereign state.

…For more than a year now, the Kremlin propaganda has been trying to undermine Ukraine’s international image in South America…

Despite the large number of ethnic Ukrainians in Latin America, locals learn about the current situation in Ukraine from the Russia Today propaganda channel, which, for example, is broadcast on national television in Argentina. In other countries in the region, the channel is included in cable TV packages, but is also quite popular. Thus, in Brazil, many organizations promote the ideas of the “Russian world”, including such as “Rossotrudnichestvo”, Sputnik Brasil, Brazilian publications “Russkaya Gazeta” and “Golos Rossii”, groups and associations of the Russian diaspora. There is even “Immortal Regiment” action take place, which is trying to attract veterans of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force, which participated in World War II.

As for other countries of the region, with such as Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua or Cuba, Russia is trying to maintain friendly relations, using not only informational or ideological factors. These countries are supported by Russia in the international arena, they get weapons and equipment, cheap loans, etc. The Russian Federation also conducts a serious migration policy, and Russian migrants often perform propaganda functions, take part in various rallies, deliberately inciting the local population, and so on.

Use of Ukrainian symbols by pro-government activists at the meeting in Sao Paulo

Brazil, which for a long time had had warm and friendly relations with Russia during its left governments, changed its policy with the election of Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing conservative radical. For example, the case that occurred in late May 2020 at the meeting in Sao Paulo in support of Brazilian President J. Bolsonaro, demonstrated Russia’s desire to destabilize the situation and resort to provocations. As you know, the political and economic situation in Brazil has been very tense recently, due to the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic and the high incidence in the country. The untimely introduction of quarantine measures by the Brazilian President has led to a split in the political elites. The possibility of impeachment of J. Bolsonaro is not ruled out, as mass actions and protests of representatives of both the government and the opposition are taking place in the country.

During one such demonstration, pro-government activists used Ukrainian symbols. Local journalists were quick to report that supporters of President J. Bolsonaro came to the meeting “with neo-Nazi symbols” in the form of red-black and blue-yellow flags with a trident. Russian Portuguese-language media also picked up anti-Ukrainian accusations, willingly describing this fact in their best propaganda perspectives, while discrediting not only Ukrainian symbols of statehood but presenting Russia’s war in the Donbas as a purely internal Ukrainian conflict.

Ambassador of Ukraine to the Federative Republic of Brazil R. Tronenko

However, this time Ukrainian officials, in particular, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Brazil Rostyslav Tronenko, timely reacted to the provocation and officially stressed the inadmissibility of unworthy behavior of Russians. Ukrainian journalists published their position in the local press, explaining to readers how dishonestly their Russian “colleagues” work.

According to the Ambassador of Ukraine R. Tronenko, Brazilians often lack basic knowledge about Ukraine. The matter is that in Brazil, as in most Latin American countries, there are very powerful left movements. Today, the Brazilian President represents right-wing conservative circles. Previous officials, that is, those in opposition today, once worked closely with Russia. They help Russia discredit the image of Ukraine by using Soviet stamps, calling Ukrainians “Banderites and nationalists” allegedly “destroying” the territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state. At the same time, they try to persuade Brazilian citizens that the same thing could happen in Brazil if… J. Bolsonaro stays in power.

Very often in Brazil, protesters use the flags of other countries — the United States, Israel, Spain and the blue-yellow-green flag of Brazil itself. But recently they have begun provocative use of the Ukrainian flag with a trident. At the end of May 2020, Police clashed with members of the United Anti-Fascist Movement for Democracy and fans of three well-known local football clubs. The clash between football ultras and supporters of President J. Bolsonaro was provoked by the symbols of European right-wing radicals, which club’s ultras associated with neo-Nazis.

Very often in Brazil, protesters use the flags of other countries

The Embassy of Ukraine and our Ambassador have officially clarified this event at the level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, military and civilian agencies responsible for security and public order. The Ukrainian Embassy also pointed out that local media did find the Brazilian waving Ukrainian flags during the demonstration. Interestingly, for the past six years he has been working in Ukraine in a private security agency, is married to a Ukrainian citizen, has nothing to do with the “Right Sector” and does not associate symbols with right-wing radical movements. But the above-mentioned Russian media called him both a “Donetsk pro-Russian fighter” and a “Ukrainian nationalist”…

After all, Brazilian-language media in Brazil portray Ukraine negatively in almost all publications. They publish groundless accusations, which are then very difficult to deny. Ambassador R. Tronenko explains that these are classic signs of the information war against Ukraine.

We should not rule out the fact that pro-Russian media distort news content in order to promote the idea of legitimizing the annexation of Crimea, and even invite Brazilian officials to the Peninsula to participate in various events. The Ukrainian Embassy is closely monitoring this, carrying out explanatory work, reminding that visiting the territories temporarily occupied by Russia should be in strict accordance with Ukrainian legislation. The Brazilian partners fully share the position of the Ukrainian side, as international law is part of the Brazilian national legislation. As for the Russian propaganda, it is, unfortunately, conducted purposefully, using media fakes with a negative about Ukraine, and not only in Brazil but also abroad. The goal is to incite hostility and arouse distrust to Ukraine.

President of Ukraine V. Zelenskyy’s meeting with his Brazilian counterpart J. Bolsonaro in October 2019 in Tokyo

By the way, some experts believe that such Russian policy, both in Brazil and in South America in general, is a reaction to V. Zelenskyy and J. Bolsonaro’s fruitful meeting in Tokyo in October 2019, when agreements were reached on a specific filling of the strategic partnership between Ukraine and Brazil. During the meeting with his Brazilian counterpart, the President of Ukraine raised a number of economic issues and initiatives. The parties stressed that they sought to expand trade between the countries. V. Zelenskyy then emphasized that “Brazil is our main trading partner in Latin America. I welcome the expansion of the presence of Brazilian companies in Ukraine and Ukrainian companies in Brazil”.

The Ukrainian side proposed to resume the work of the intergovernmental commission, discussed the prospects of cooperation in the space industry, and proposed to restart a joint space project using the Alcantara spaceport. V. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Brazil’s support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. J. Bolsonaro invited V. Zelenskyy to Brazil and, in turn, thanked for the invitation to visit Ukraine next year. And if it were not for the coronavirus pandemic, all these plans would have been carried out for the benefit of both countries.

* * * * *

Manipulations with thoughts and views has used at all times, but in the 21st century, due to social networks, international and global media, the world’s leading countries have more opportunities to influence various political processes. Often domestic problems come to the fore and shape foreign policy processes both inside and outside the country. Coverage of any important events taking place in the global world has become very fast and efficient, modern tools of communication allow to do it online. This is often done not only through official or private TV channels, but also through social networks. In this way, a false sense of reality is formed in communities. Real politics has become mediative, urgent problems are being replaced by fictional ones, and populism and substitution of concepts are becoming the norm.

…Without the proper formation of the Ukrainian Latin American foreign policy direction, our country will not be able to effectively counter Russian fakes aimed at damaging Ukraine’s international image…

As for countering Russia’s propaganda against Ukraine, it should be noted that Brazil is already holding conferences on Russian aggression against Ukraine. Since 2014, the Committee on Foreign Affairs and National Defense of the Chamber of Deputies of the Brazilian National Congress has adopted two official documents in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and condemned Russian aggression. Brazil remains the only BRICS member state (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) that does not vote against Ukrainian resolutions at the UN, but then it does not vote for either. As for other countries in the region, the situation there is not so optimistic. Therefore, without the proper formation of the Ukrainian Latin American foreign policy direction, our country will not be able to effectively counter Russian fakes aimed at damaging Ukraine’s international image.

 

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