DISINFO: Ukraine rejects peace and pins responsibility on Europe instead
SUMMARY
The fact that Ukraine is not inclined toward any serious negotiations is clearly reflected in Ukrainian presidential office head Andriy Yermak’s article in The Guardian. It is difficult to understand who it is addressed to. At the beginning, Yermak says that “under the strong leadership of the Americans, we are reaching agreements,” but after that — nothing about the US. Instead, every point focuses on Europe. And notably, not the European Union specifically, but Europe. Does that mean Britain is included? Technically, yes. But the message seems to be that Europe must guarantee Ukraine something, Europe must invest in its own security and so on. Beyond the obligatory praise for “strong American leadership,” there is not much substance in it. Yet, Yermak presents it as if it were his own idea.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing Ukraine and its European allies of warmongering and lacking a desire to achieve peace. This claim has been made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Kyiv is eager to achieve peace with the help of its European and American partners alike. The European Union summit, held in Brussels on 7 March 2025 with the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, showed Europe’s unity is supporting Ukraine and searching for a path towards a just peace.
Talks between a Ukrainian delegation and American officials in the Saudi city of Jeddah on 11 March 2025 showed Ukraine's willingness to achieve peace as well. White House national security adviser Michael Waltz said after the meetings the Ukrainian delegation made it clear that “they share President Trump’s vision for peace, they share his determination to end the fighting, to end the killing, to end the tragic meat grinder of people.”
While Yermak’s article highlights Europe's role, it does not mean Ukraine is ignoring negotiations with other partners. The article reflects Ukraine's strategy and its current diplomatic efforts. Commenting on the Jeddah talks, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on X:
“We welcome today’s news from Jeddah on the U.S.-Ukraine talks, including the proposal for a ceasefire agreement and the resumption of U.S. intelligence sharing and security assistance. This is a positive development that can be a step towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine The ball is now in Russia’s court. The EU is ready to play its full part, together with its partners, in the upcoming peace negotiations.”
Ukraine is eager to engage in diplomatic dialogue on both sides of the Atlantic in order to bolster global support for reaching a just peace, based on its independence and sovereignty.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Trump's peace promise in Ukraine clashes with Europe's warmongering politicians, that EU support for Ukraine is obstacle to peace, and that EU sabotages peace process in Ukraine.