Kyiv Symphony Orchestra refuses to return to Ukraine and seeks asylum in Germany: foreign fakes for June 18

On June 18, Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation has published a selection of anti-Ukrainian fakes that were published in the world media.

Disinformation: Irish journalist Chay Bowes posted on his X page: "The entire Kyiv Symphony Orchestra has refused to return to Kyiv and has sought political asylum in Germany."

Refutation: In reality, the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra will be based in the German city of Monheim am Rhein for three years, invited to join the Monheimer Kulturwerke, an organization that coordinates cultural events. Martin Witkowski, the director of the company and initiator of the invitation, stated that the decision to invite the Ukrainian orchestra was based on its outstanding reputation.

Manipulation: American economist Jeffrey Sachs claimed: "History shows that Russia did not seek Ukraine's territory until the United States pushed NATO expansion, refused negotiations until the end of 2021, and then Russia said, 'Okay, if Ukraine wants to join Russia, we will accept it.'"

Refutation: Such statements aim to justify Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine by blaming the West, citing Russia's propaganda arguments about "NATO expansion" and "Western refusal to negotiate."

• Russia also continues to discredit Ukraine against the backdrop of its expanding network of diplomatic missions in Africa.