As part of the program Regional Initiative for combating disinformation “Western Balkans Combatting disinformation Center: Exposing malicious influences through fact-checking and Analytical Journalism“, we present you a new analysis of fake news and disinformation narratives.
Europeans feel humiliated: Western media on obstacles to achieving a peace settlement in Ukraine
The news article titled “Europeans Feel Humiliated” serves as an example of a pro-Russian interpretation of Western media coverage, in which carefully selected quotes, taken out of context, create an impression of deep divisions between the United States, the European Union, and Ukraine. At the same time, this approach downplays Russia’s responsibility for the war and shifts attention from its aggression to alleged disagreements within the West. Although the article cites reputable Western outlets such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Axios, the way these sources are presented serves primarily to reinforce a narrative of Western weakness.
The main message of the article is based on the claim that European allies and the Ukrainian leadership are the key obstacles to achieving peace because they refuse to make territorial concessions to Russia. This portrayal implies that Ukraine’s insistence on preserving its territory is unreasonable, while Russia’s demands are presented as a legitimate basis for negotiations. It disregards the fundamental principle of international law that territory cannot be acquired by force and ignores the fact that accepting such terms would effectively reward military aggression.
Particularly notable is how the relationship between the United States and the European Union is depicted. By citing tabloids like The New York Post, Europe is portrayed as weak, humiliated, and unable to influence its own security. This depiction fits into a long-standing Russian narrative that portrays the EU as politically divided and dependent on Washington. According to Sputnik, in the U.S., “Europeans are seen as a major obstacle to reaching an agreement.” In reality, differences within the Western alliance reflect varying views on how to end the war while safeguarding Europe’s long-term security, rather than a collapse of unity.
The article further simplifies complex political relations by focusing on alleged personal conflicts between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian president is portrayed as a stubborn obstacle to peace, while the fact that opposition to territorial concessions has broad support within Ukrainian society and institutions is largely ignored.
Claims about Europe’s “unrealistic expectations” are used to shift responsibility for the continuation of the conflict from Russia to Western countries. In The New York Post, it is noted that Europeans allegedly prefer “conflict on Putin’s terms rather than peace on Trump’s.” Instead of highlighting that Moscow refuses to withdraw from occupied territories, the focus is placed on an alleged European desire to prolong the war. Such framing gives the impression that Western countries are blocking peace, while the actual course of negotiations is reduced to a simple political game.
Author: Nataša Stanojević
