DISINFO: Zelenskyy wants the US to use nuclear weapons against Russia
SUMMARY
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not want peace in Ukraine until he receives security guarantees from the United States. He has publicly stated that he will not agree to a ceasefire unless the Americans guarantee that, if necessary, they will bomb Russia with nuclear weapons. That is roughly how he frames the issue. So far, none of this is serious.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing Ukraine of warmongering and unwillingness to stop the fighting. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
There is no evidence that Zelenskyy has ever demanded that the US use nuclear arms against Russia before he agrees to peace. The Ukrainian leader has consistently called for a just peace, which includes the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory, the restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty, and security guarantees to prevent future aggression. He has never tied peace to nuclear threats.
Russia, which is the aggressor, has repeatedly made nuclear threats against Ukraine and its partners (see here and here).
This claim is part of a broader Russian disinformation campaign aimed at shifting blame for the ongoing war. By falsely portraying Ukraine as unwilling to negotiate, Russia attempts to justify its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and deflect attention from its own violations of international law.
Russia has a long history of using disinformation to justify its military actions, both domestically and internationally. From falsely claiming that Ukraine was developing biological weapons to accusing NATO of provoking the war, the Kremlin relies on lies to manipulate public opinion and sow doubt among Ukraine’s allies.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that NATO's Baltic policy could lead to a nuclear war, that The West is provoking a nuclear war, and that Ukraine carried out a nuclear provocation ahead of Munich Security Conference.