DISINFO: The West fans Ukraine crisis and delays solution
SUMMARY
Russia and Belarus condemn Western countries for fanning the Ukraine crisis and delaying a solution to it. Russia and Belarus are calling for a political and diplomatic settlement, a return to Ukraine's neutral status and its renunciation of Nazi and militarist policies.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets claiming that the West’s aim is to prolong hostilities in Ukraine as much as possible rather than search for a diplomatic solution. This claim was made in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
In reality, the West has not ceased making attempts at a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine virtually since the launch of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression (see here and here), but these efforts have come to a halt because of Moscow’s unconstructiveness. Peace can be achieved only if Russia agrees to Ukraine’s peace formula and stops the war.
This plan was supported by the European leaders at an EU-Ukraine summit in February 2023. President of the European Council Charles Michel said at the news conference of the summit: “Both Ukraine and the EU share the common goal of ending this war — based on respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We therefore support Ukraine’s Peace Formula initiative and will actively work with Ukraine on the 10-point peace plan. We also back the idea of a Peace Formula Summit to launch this plan.”
HRVP Josep Borrell said in an interview with Euronews on 5 May 2023: "If you want peace, push Russia to withdraw. Push Russia to stop the war. Don't tell me to stop supporting Ukraine, because if I stop supporting Ukraine, certainly the war will finish soon." The EU, the US, and NATO condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is entirely unjustified and unprovoked.
Most recently, the G7 Leaders’ Statement on Ukraine of May 29 2023 states:
We express our full sympathy and condolences to the Ukrainian people for their loss and suffering. We salute the Ukrainian people for their brave resistance. Our support for Ukraine will not waver. We will not tire in our commitment to mitigate the impact of Russia’s illegal actions on the rest of the world.
Some Western nations including NATO member states provide Ukraine with arms with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, but there are no NATO troops fighting on the frontline. Kyiv is acting in self-defence against the Russian invasion as enshrined in the UN Charter Article 51.
Read more disinformation cases claiming that Europe doesn’t support peace negotiations in Ukraine because of US pressure, Russia will not negotiate with the Kyiv regime, represented by war criminals and Zelenskyy asked the West to nuke Russia to block any negotiation process.