DISINFO: The West has chosen war instead of diplomacy
SUMMARY
The European Union is waging a 'cheap war' against Russia and is not making any effort to achieve real peace. The Minsk agreements and negotiations have been violated by the West, but they do not take this into account. In order not to bring Zelenskyy closer to peace negotiations, Western leaders, including Kaja Kallas and Mark Rutte, have always been against peace negotiations.
RESPONSE
This is one of the narratives aimed at blaming the West for continuing the war, portraying Russia as a victim, and shifting the responsibility for preventing peace negotiations onto the West.
Western nations have always called for peaceful and diplomatic solutions to problems with Russia while upholding the rules-based international order. Moscow’s aggressive policy has led to a tougher and better-balanced policy toward it by the West.
Russia is the only country responsible for the invasion of Ukraine. It has been coming up with different explanations and pretexts for its aggression since the beginning of its hostilities. Moreover, Russia was not forced to invade Ukraine. It was Putin’s personal decision to invade Ukraine and start the largest military conflict in Europe since WWII.
The European Union has consistently supported a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. On 19 December 2024, European Council President Antonio Costa discussed with President Zelenskyy the importance of the West's efforts to achieve a just peace. This is in line with the European Union's longstanding position of supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The claim that the West violated the Minsk agreements is a distortion of the truth. In fact, Russia has consistently failed to comply with the main provisions of the Minsk agreements, including:
1) Violation of the ceasefire 2) Failure to withdraw foreign troops 3) Refusal to disband illegal armed groups and 4) Obstructing the OSCE monitoring mission.
Ukraine, on the contrary, implemented the Minsk agreements as much as possible under the conditions of occupation, including the adoption of laws on special status, amnesty and local elections.
The claim that European leaders are against peace negotiations is also completely false. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, also stresses the need for real conditions for peace:
"If Putin does not want to talk, there is no point in forcing Zelenskyy to negotiate."
HRVP Kallas also advocates strengthening Ukraine's position in order to carry out negotiations on an equal footing. Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte has also stressed the need for a cautious and strategic approach to negotiations.
The evidence shows that the European Union is committed to a just peace in Ukraine, while Russia continues its aggression. European leaders are not against negotiations, but demand conditions that lead to an equal and lasting peace. The European Union's significant financial, military and diplomatic assistance demonstrates its commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and its desire to resolve the conflict on fair terms.
See also the Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War and The Chilling Background to the Kremlin's "No War" trope.
See similar cases such as The West will do everything possible to prevent Russia from leaving the war and The West’s "war party” wants to escalate the conflict in Ukraine.