DISINFO: The West sidelines Ukraine in peace talks
SUMMARY
Europeans say that negotiations about Ukraine should be dictated by the US and Russia, sidelining Zelenskyy. This is not how Russia usually acts. Russia prefers to act as it usually does within BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Member states respect the principle of sovereign equality of states, as outlined in the UN Charter, rather than treating the matter as a bilateral issue.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative accusing Ukraine’s partners in the US and the EU of delaying peace talks and pushing Ukraine fight ‘to the last Ukrainian’. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Since the very beginning of Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the US and European nations have expressed support for a negotiated settlement, but they insist it must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. That is why they are not pressuring Ukraine into accepting terms that would legitimise Russian illegal territorial gains.
President Zelenskyy previously presented a 10-point peace plan, which was fully supported by the EU, in February 2023. This plan provided for a complete Russian withdrawal from Ukraine till the internationally recognised borders of 1991 and the restoration of Kyiv’s territorial integrity. While Ukraine is ready for dialogue, based on international law and the UN Charter, Russia is putting forward unacceptable conditions such as recognition of occupied Ukrainian territories as part of Russia.
The US and the EU are providing military, financial, and humanitarian support to Ukraine. This support is aimed at helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty against Russia’s aggression rather than escalating the war. Western leaders agree that a strong Ukrainian position is necessary for any negotiations. The EU High Representative/Vice President Kaja Kallas, stated on December 1 during her trip to Kyiv:
"And it is important that since this war is going on in Ukraine, we have to do everything to stop it, really to weaken Russia, to strengthen Ukraine by providing you [Ukraine] more weapons, ammunitions, soldiers’ training of what you need. But also, it is diplomatic and political support you need."
Western nations have always called to solve problems with Russia in a peaceful and diplomatic manner while upholding the rules-based international order. Moscow’s overall aggressive policy has led to a tougher and better-balanced policy towards it by the West.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Zelenskyy and his peace formula are tools of the UK and US, that Ukraine and the US don't need peace, that UK is coordinating the global escalation of tensions, and that Europe pushing itself and the world towards third world war.