DISINFO: Ukrainians want peace with Russia, but the 'war party' controlled by NATO is against it
SUMMARY
Peace in Ukraine and a 'peace party' in Ukraine are virtually impossible. Those who talk about peace are subjected to repression, SBU arrests them and puts in the basements [for interrogation].
The vast majority of Ukrainians are looking for changes. But until there is a military defeat of NATO in Ukraine, it is very difficult to say that it will be safe for people to express their position for peace in Ukraine.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that Ukraine does not seek a peaceful solution mixed with claims that Ukraine is externally controlled.
Neither the citizens of Ukraine nor the government of Ukraine wanted this war. Russia had been preparing for this war in 2021, moving its equipment and military personnel to the Ukrainian border. On February 24 2022, the Russian army crossed the borders of Ukraine violating its territorial integrity yet again in a full-scale invasion. It was Vladimir Putin's decision.
The Kremlin has accompanied its military invasion by a PR-campaign where de facto demands for Ukraine's capitulation and surrender are branded as "peace proposals". See our article reviewing 2021-2022 developments here.
In December 2022, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed a 10-point peace plan but Russia rejected it. The plan called for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory and the cessation of hostilities, restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, global food security, radiation safety, etc.
Ukrainians overwhelmingly support the decisions of the Ukrainian government. Most of Ukrainians believe that Ukraine must restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also support NATO and EU integration. More than 95% of Ukrainians believe that Ukraine will achieve victory.
Ukraine is not controlled by NATO. Ukraine is a sovereign state whose territorial integrity is violated by Russia. Some NATO member states provide Ukraine with military and financial assistance to help Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s attack.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that Ukraine has become a private military company of NATO, that Ukraine is forced to fight on behalf of NATO, that the West is using Ukrainians to fight against Russia, or that Europe doesn’t support peace negotiations in Ukraine because of US pressure.