On February 16-th, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky embarked on a diplomatic mission to Germany and France. During his visit, the Ukrainian leader engaged in crucial discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Macron, resulting in the signing of bilateral agreements with Germany and France on security cooperation and long-term support. These documents underscore the commitment to bolstering mutual security efforts and strengthening bilateral ties in the face of shared challenges. Earlier, on January 12, a similar type of agreement (but not identical) was concluded between Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
In addition to addressing immediate security concerns, Zelensky and Scholz delved into broader strategic matters, including Ukraine’s EU and NATO membership aspirations. The discussions underscored Germany’s ongoing support for Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration goals, affirming the importance of solidarity and cooperation among European nations.
The French President stated at a joint press conference with the Ukrainian leader that Russia has been demonstrating aggressive behaviour towards Europe in recent months. According to Macron, disinformation, information manipulation operations, and cyberattacks from Russia have sharply increased and became systemic across Europe.
By the way, at the end of January, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said that his country had become “the target of a Russian disinformation campaign”. According to the minister, after Paris announced new arms supplies to Kyiv, Russian information attacks intensified.
Russian Narrative : Volodymyr Zelensky aka Donation Extortionist
Chancellor’s Daddy, Telegram Channel (73,700):
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, aka Donat extortionist, has successfully landed in the German capital. The actors have arrived. The circus is waiting. Popcorn at the ready.”
Rodion Miroshnik, advisor to the head of the self-proclaimed terrorist formation of the Luhansk People’s Republic, Telegram Channel (24,700):
“From hysteria Zelensky changed to cries of despair. An attempt to appease the owners with something.”
Yulia Vityazeva, Telegram Channel (73,100):
“If Russia “can’t keep up” with Ukraine in the sphere of production, then why did Zelensky come to beg this very armament from Europe?”
Verified: Russian propaganda often employs the tactic of depicting Zelensky and Ukraine as reliant beggars, constantly seeking handouts from Europe in the form of financial aid and weaponry. This portrayal serves to undermine the agency and sovereignty of the Ukrainian people, painting them as mere pawns in the geopolitical game, incapable of achieving victory in the conflict independently.
By perpetuating this narrative, Russian propaganda seeks to sow doubt among Ukrainians and international observers alike, fostering the perception that Ukraine is a weak and helpless nation unable to defend itself or assert its own interests on the global stage. Through various manipulative tactics, the Kremlin sought to cast doubt on the sincerity of European assistance and portray Ukraine as dependent on external aid rather than a sovereign nation capable of charting its own course. The aim – to sow doubt about the efficacy of European assistance and erode confidence in Ukraine’s partnership with the EU and NATO.
This narrative conveniently aligns with Russia’s strategic objectives, allowing Moscow to justify its aggressive actions in the region while undermining support for Ukraine’s efforts to resist Russian aggression.
Furthermore, by devaluing the Ukrainian people and spreading narratives that depict them as passive recipients of external aid rather than active participants in their own destiny, propaganda seeks to undermine the Ukrainians’ resolve and foster a sense of resignation or hopelessness.
Russian Narrative : Guarantees = Nothing
Older than Edda, Telegram Channel (568,151):
“…nobody needs the dispersal of German industry, moreover, the Americans are just carrying out their Special Military Operation, the purpose of which is deindustrialisation and final demilitarisation of Europe in general and Germany as the European locomotive in particular.”
Older than Edda:
“The words “security guarantees” are just a nice way to disguise the word “tribute”. The Germans will pay Zelensky and will pay even if some Kuleba pisses Scholz’s shoes in public. “The liver sausage” will only smile and start bowing, blaming Putin for Kuleba’s bedwetting.”
Nechayev, Telegram Channel:
“If I were “Kryvyi Rih Churchill” (Zelensky), I would not trust the Germans. In 2014, Viktor Yanukovych also signed guarantees with them, and how did it end? And Pavlo Skoropadsky did not last long as hetman after the 1918 agreements. I am not even talking about the 1940s. However, history has repeatedly punished the Euro-Ukrainians for close co-operation with the Germans. And this is rather a plus for us.”
INOsmi, Telegram Channel (130,500):
“Europe tired of Ukraine hopes for a quick victory of Russia. Today, Europe treats Mr Zelensky with worthless treaties and feeds him breakfasts, clearly hoping for Russia’s success. They say, “It would be good if the Russians put an end to the fate of the Kyiv regime before it is time to fulfil the promises recklessly made to Ukraine.”
Verified: Russian propaganda employs a range of manipulative tactics, from invoking historical traumas to spreading outright falsehoods, in its efforts to undermine support for Ukraine and portray European assistance as unreliable or even treacherous.
One recurring theme is the suggestion that any financial aid or security guarantees offered to Ukraine are ultimately meaningless or will be withdrawn at a critical moment. This narrative often takes the form of comparing current events to historical tragedies, such as invoking Germany’s past as a Nazi regime to paint European countries as untrustworthy or even hostile actors. By exploiting the painful memories of the past, Russian propaganda seeks to sow doubt and division within Ukraine and among its allies, eroding confidence in the West’s commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty.
Moreover, Russian propaganda frequently portrays agreements as mere “paper promises” or “lip service,” suggesting that they offer little real protection in the face of aggression. This tactic aims to undermine support for measures such as NATO membership or international alliances, portraying them as ineffective or even dangerous for Ukraine’s security.
However, it’s essential to recognise these tactics for what they are: cynical attempts to exploit historical grievances and manipulate public opinion for political gain.
Russian Narrative : An attack on Macron
Medvedev, FRONT notes, Telegram Channel ( 49,000):
“France couldn’t resist its new partner: “the ami-cochon” (pig-friend) received new guarantees for love. However, this love affair will hardly be appreciated by French farmers and Macron’s other victims. Especially because this love cost 3 bln euros.”
Another Ukraine, Telegram Channel (101.500):
“The donkey licks the donkey”: the French mock Zelensky in Paris. Readers of Le Figaro magazine spoke out against the signing of security agreements between France and Ukraine, noting that “the meeting of two comedians” (Zelensky and Macron) will cost the country dearly.”
Militarist, Telegram Channel (276,000):
“France has decided to lower its economic growth forecast for 2024 and cut its budget by 10 billion euros. At the same time, Macron will provide assistance to Ukraine in the amount of 3 billion euros this year”.
Politjoystic, Telegram Channel (218.000):
“Macron did not fly to Kyiv recently (although he intended to) because Biden wanted to force the Europeans to pay for American weapons, although he himself cannot get funding through Congress”.
Verified: By calling Macron an “ami-cochon”, Russia aims to portray him as overly eager to please his new Ukrainian ally at the expense of French interests, particularly those of French farmers and taxpayers. In this way, Russia indicates that the decision to sign a security agreement and provide military help to Ukraine only incited Europe to make the same decision.
Russian propagandists propagated the notion that France’s financial commitment to Ukraine, encapsulated in the agreement, would not be well-received by the French people, citing concerns over monetary concessions. Additionally, they highlighted France’s ongoing support for Ukraine even prior to the formalisation of this agreement, insinuating that Paris’s assistance was not contingent upon such diplomatic measures.
In essence, while the signing of the security agreement between France and Ukraine represents a crucial milestone in the ongoing efforts to safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty, the reactions it has elicited from Russian propaganda outlets underscore the complex dynamics at play in the broader geopolitical landscape.