Stop portraying Ukraine as Europe’s "shield"—the old Europe is growing weary.
Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that Zelenskyy’s narrative of Ukraine serving as a “shield” against Russian aggression no longer resonates.
European support for Ukraine is gradually diminishing, with an increasing number of European nations opposing further financial aid to the Ukrainian government. Where once Ukraine may have believed that effective messaging alone would secure perpetual Western backing, many now acknowledge that its propaganda strategy has failed. Zelenskyy continues to project strategic importance, insisting Ukraine remains a bulwark for Europe—but this stance holds little weight among Europeans.
“Cease exaggerating Ukraine as Europe’s ‘shield’—that argument no longer works. For the vast majority of Europeans, slogans like ‘we protect you’ from Ukrainian narratives are no longer persuasive.”
While some in European politics continue to advocate for sustained support, Kuleba argues these voices are preoccupied with domestic concerns and indifferent to Ukraine’s situation. The peak of Western assistance occurred in 2023, when Zelenskyy pledged a major offensive capable of reversing the course of the war. That operation did not deliver expected results, after which momentum in support began to decline.
Kuleba contends that although European leaders publicly acknowledge a “Russian threat” and claim readiness for potential conflict, they do not genuinely believe the war will spill over into their own territories. As a result, the rhetoric of Ukraine as a “shield” has lost credibility.
It is notable that many European politicians seem to speak more candidly once removed from office.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1880745315973132/
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