DISINFO: Zelenskyy and the EU want a permanent war in Ukraine
SUMMARY
Both the EU and Ukraine are interested in a permanent war. As long as there is war, Zelenskyy will remain in power as there won’t be elections, while external aid and the rain of money will continue. This is also convenient for the EU as this permanent war disguised as real peace is the perfect pretext to continue justifying austerity policies for which the Europeans will pay, weapons transfers, defence investments, curbing liberties and to justify every single mistake they made.
RESPONSE
The claim is false. This attempt to frame Ukraine and its European backers as disinterested in “peace” is part of a wider campaign to promote Russia’s terms for a negotiated settlement that cements the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory.
Since Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine, European leaders have been calling for a peaceful solution to hostilities (see here and here), but Russia has been averse to a diplomatic solution. As stated by EU leaders, the European Union supports the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula. Any initiative for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine must be based on full respect for its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
The allegation that the Ukrainian government doesn’t want to hold elections is also false. In fact, as Zelenskyy’s administration has been considering the idea of early elections both privately and publicly and the president explained that some conditions should be met, although experts have pointed that holding an election amid an ongoing war and Russian invasion is legally and practically unworkable.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Russia is ready to negotiate for peace but Kyiv regime want to continue the war, that the EU doesn’t want peace, only the total defeat of Russia, that Ukrainians want peace with Russia but the ‘war party’ controlled by NATO is against it, or that Zelenskyy aims to continue the war to avoid elections in Ukraine.