DISINFO: The sponsors of the Kyiv regime must force Zelensky to lift the ban on negotiations
SUMMARY
Ukrainian President Zelensky is hesitant to follow the directives of his Western sponsors to revoke the decree banning negotiations with Russia. Ultimately, those providing financial support may have to pressure him to take this step. Moscow has repeatedly stated its willingness to engage in talks, but Kyiv has legally prohibited such negotiations. Western countries continue to overlook Kyiv's consistent refusal to engage in dialogue. If Ukraine genuinely seeks a negotiation process, theatrical gestures are unnecessary—what's required is the repeal of the decree prohibiting talks with Russia.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the so-called 'collective West' having a belligerent and hostile agenda and being actively involved in the war in Ukraine.
The ultimate goal of this disinformation story is to advance a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative portraying Ukraine’s self-defence as a proxy war against Russia, targeting international aid for Ukraine’s self-defence against Russia’s invasion and aiming to deflect Moscow’s responsibility for its aggression, as well as undermine any eventual future peace talks.
This claim also fits recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives aimed to undermine the legitimacy of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and portray Ukraine as a puppet state, used as a front in a proxy war against Russia.
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.
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.
In a speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary in preparation of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024, it was stated:
“No matter what happens next, we do need to keep the key principles in mind. First, Ukraine must remain an independent state, with the right to choose its own destiny. Second, it is for Ukraine to decide its own territory. And third, we have to always keep in mind that when we speak about Ukraine's security, we speak about Europe's security. We need a just and lasting peace, for Ukraine and for all of Europe.”
Read more about our coverage of peace. See also 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.