Verdicts
Sunday 20 May 2018
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Vladimir Putin
President of Russia
“In early 2000s our life expectancy was 65 years, and now it’s almost 73.”
Read more...President Putin's statement that life expectancy in Russia has reached almost 73-years-old is close to latest international statistics. It's a number he cited in justifying a lack of strong electoral opposition. Russian life expectancy still lags behind the remainder of Europe. -
RT
Russian state-funded news agency
A former British ambassador to Syria told RT the OPCW ‘s claim that chlorine was "likely used" in Saraqeb, Syria, in February is "seriously misleading" because it is based on evidence provided by “jihadists.”
Read more...The “jihadists” referred to in the RT story are actually members of Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets. The claim that they are jihadists is a conspiracy theory promoted by the Syrian and Russian governments, and RT’s source has worked for a pro-Assad government lobby group. -
Viktor Marakhovsky
Writer for RIA Novosti
“In short, today the question is more relevant than ever: what can save the union [between the U.S. and Europe] now? So far the only answer given is Russia.”
Read more...The article only cites some European leaders expressing concern over their countries’ dependence on the United States. But these leaders have not called for looking to Russia instead. -
Maria Zakharova
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
“People in camouflage were running around the U.N.; they shouted, photographed Russian diplomats and threatened. It was about direct threats.”
Read more...One Russian diplomat was questioned by a female Ukrainian filmmaker, who recorded the encounter and posted it on her Facebook page. -
Alexander Domrin
Alexander Domrin, Professor of International Law, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow
“Up to this point, it (Crimea) has been perceived exclusively as a Russian territory. And in 2014 the peninsula joined the Russian Federation on the basis of a referendum in which the overwhelming majority of the inhabitants of the peninsula took part. And now it will not be returned to Ukraine or any other country.”
Read more...The overwhelming majority of countries do not recognize Crimea as a part of Russia. The International Criminal Court considers Crimea to be occupied by Russia. The 2014 “referendum” conducted after soldiers wearing no insignia moved in. The results of the vote are highly dubious. -
Aleksandar Vučić
President of Serbia
"As you know, nothing in international relations lasts shorter than gratitude, and I would like to thank you once again for what you did in 2015, when you literally saved the Serbian people -- who were and are the people who suffered the most over the last century -- from the stigma of genocide, when you vetoed the British resolution in the U.N.”
Read more...The Serbs not only did not suffer “the most” from 20th Century conflict but it was the Serbian troops who massacred thousands during Bosnian war. Ten UN Security Council members voted for resolution recognizing these atrocities as an act of genocide. Russia vetoed the resolution. Serbs made up one-fourth of the deaths in the 1990’s Balkans conflicts. More than two-thirds of the killed were Bosnian Muslims. -
Alexis Rodzianko
President and CEO of the American Chamber of Congress in Russia
“If Rusal doesn’t deliver this metal (aluminum) to America … then producing enough cars (F150s) to meet market demands will be impossible, and this is a big loss.”
Read more...The new Ford F150 pickup truck is listed a one of the “most American” new vehicles. Ford says nearly all the aluminum in the new Ford F150 is produced in the United States, and much of it is actually recycled from scrap metal. -
Alexander Shulgin
Russia’s representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
“In the United States, nerve agents of “Novichok” type have not only been produced, but have even been patented as chemical weapons. Moreover, a search on the electronic source google.patents.com using the keyword “Novichok” finds more than 140 patents granted in the United States related to the use of, and protection from, the impact of the ‘Novichok’ chemical warfare agent.”
Read more...Shulgin’s statement is false on several levels: the “google.patents.com” he referred to is not the correct address of the database; there are 59, not “more than 140” patents related to Novichok and all of them are for anti-poisoning measures; a search of the “patents.google.com database” finds that no patents have been issued in the U.S. for the production and use of Novichok. -
Vladimir Putin
President of Russia
“I am counting here on new ideas and approaches, on the boldness of our young people, on their ability to become real leaders of change; that young people will be faithful to the values of truth and justice…”
Read more...While youth loyal to Putin are boosted socially and politically, young people critical of the system are persecuted. -
Vladimir Putin
President of the Russian Federation
I believe that it is my duty and the meaning of my entire life to do everything for Russia, its present and future, to ensure that it is peaceful and prosperous, to preserve and perpetuate our great people, and bring prosperity to every household in Russia. Let me assure you that just as before I will devote my life and my work to serving the people and our Fatherland. For me, this is above everything.
Read more...Putin says his duty is to make Russia peaceful and prosperous. Yet in his most recent term he not only got Russia involved in two wars, Ukraine and Syria, but also living standards and the economy have taken a major hit amid sanctions and depressed oil prices. -
Sputnik
State-owned news agency, Russia
“No Racism in Russia, FIFA 2018 Set to Be Great Tournament – Shanghai SIPG Player.”
Read more...The Russian Football Union is currently under investigation over racism charges from world and European football authorities. In the past, Russian football authorities had paid financial fees for racist behavior and Russian clubs have played in empty stadiums around Europe as punishment for racism. -
Current Policy (@Current_policy)
Social media account
“American newspapers presented the use of napalm in Vietnam as forest fires. Since then nothing has changed.”
Read more...There is no indication @Current_Policy is a creation of the Russian government, but the Twitter account Tweets a stream of pro-Kremlin messages – including a false interpretation of an ad promoting press freedom.