DISINFO: West prolongs war in Ukraine by providing it with arms and political support
SUMMARY
The West continues to whip up tension, artificially prolonging the special military operation by providing not only military aid to Kyiv but also, of course, political support. This is the decision of the EU summit which took place on 23 and 24 of June on granting Ukraine candidate status for its membership in the European Union.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing the West of encouraging militaristic moods in Ukraine. This claim was made in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
In reality, the West is supplying Kyiv with weapons to help it repel the Russian aggression. Ukraine is using Western arms with the sole aim of restoring its territorial integrity within the internationally recognised borders including the peninsula of Crimea and the occupied areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk Regions. Ukraine has no plans to move further into Russia and occupy any Russian territory.
Western countries have been calling for solving issues with Russia in a peaceful and diplomatic manner. The EU has conducted half-year summits with the Russian leadership for years until 2014 in an effort to enhance relations. EU has also tried to change the course of Russia's agressive actions and give diplomacy a chance such as with the efforts of HRVP Josep Borrell - see here.
The EU summit’s decision to grant Ukraine candidate status for EU membership has nothing to do with the West’s allegedly fanning of tensions. The EU is a political and economic union. Kyiv's candidate status and its possible full-fledged membership might help Ukraine restore its economy after the defeat of Russia in its war of aggression. Western leaders have repeatedly issued statements that Russia cannot win this war (see here and here). It does not mean that they are calling for aggression against Russia or any other country.
See the EU's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine here along with EU vs Disinfo's Guide to Deciphering Pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's War.