Russian propagandist site Life.ru published an article claiming that Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko admitted that European armies were superior to Ukraine’s armed forces. Poroshenko allegedly made this announcement in a speech to Britain’s Royal Institute of International Affairs, commonly known as Chatham House.
RIA Novosti took Life’s claims even further and declared that President Poroshenko is disappointed in Ukraine’s armed forces.
Russia’s disinformation arsenal usual suspects quickly followed suit: Lenta.ru, Defense Ministry television channel Zvezda, Sputnik, REN.TV, NevaInfo and others all ran versions of this fake story.
Ukraine’s President however, made no such claims in his Chatham House address, quite the contrary, Poroshenko pointed out that Ukraine spends 5% of its GDP on defense and its army currently ranks 8th in Europe. “It is the only army that not only faces Russian aggression but also is able to effectively contain it,” Poroshenko said.
The text and video of President Poroshenko’s address are available on the president’s official web site.
“Ukraine is a fighter,” Poroshenko said.” If you are looking for someone guided by principle, look at Ukraine. We spend 5% of our annual GDP on defense, more than some NATO members. Ukraine’s army currently ranks 8th in Europe. It is the only army that not only faces Russian aggression but also is able to effectively contain it. Thanks to the Ukrainian army, you can feel safe and secure.”
According to the Global Firepower Index, a ranking of nations’ militaries based of active personnel, tanks, aircraft and more, Ukraine is ranked 30th among 126 countries, ahead of the armies of Switzerland, Norway, Holland and Argentina.
