Core Thesis and Objective
The narrative that "the West is tired and betrays Ukraine" is a propaganda tool aimed at demoralizing Ukrainian society and undermining international solidarity. Its purpose is to conceal Russia's real motives: continuation of aggression, violations of international law and military norms, and to divert attention from responsibility for destruction and civilian casualties.
How the Propaganda Works
Propagandists create the impression of "betrayal" by emphasizing:
- delays in arms deliveries and logistical difficulties,
- interpreting political debates about allies' priorities as "weakness" or "refusal,"
- emotional messages about a "forsaken country" through TV and social media.
The main concept substitution: temporary difficulties and organizational processes are presented as refusal, creating a false dilemma of "The West is tired — Ukraine loses." This allows the Kremlin to justify its own inability to achieve rapid objectives and the slowdown of the invasion.
Role of Allies: The EU as Ukraine's Key Partner
The myth of "Western betrayal" ignores the dynamics of international aid. Historically, the U.S. provided primary support to Ukraine, though aid was temporarily reduced in the past, particularly during the Trump administration. Trump's motives remain debated: some analysts link it to his right-wing populism and possible sympathy for authoritarian leaders, others to economic interests in Russia. (cfr.org)
However, by 2025 the situation has shifted: the EU and its member states provide a substantial portion of support and have effectively become Ukraine's main international partner:
- Team Europe (EU + member states) has provided approximately €177.5 billion since the start of the war, including over €49 billion in military aid. (europarl.europa.eu)
- In 2025, EU countries agreed on a new aid package to Ukraine of €90 billion in concessional loans and financial guarantees. (reuters.com)
- EU and member states’ military aid includes modern weapons systems, ammunition, troop training, and defense industry support. (consilium.europa.eu)
Thus, the U.S. remains an important partner, but the EU has effectively become the leader in support for Ukraine in terms of volume and coordination. History shows that aggressors could be stopped even with less international aid — the key factor is solidarity, coordination, and strategic long-term support, not individual national packages.
Ukraine Strengthens Domestic Production
According to reports from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, OSINT investigations (Bellingcat, Conflict Intelligence Team), and SIPRI analytics:
- Production of ammunition and weapons increased sixfold during 2024–2025, including artillery shells, anti-tank systems, and small arms. (SIPRI, 2025)
- By 2025, Ukraine meets about 55% of its own needs in key weapons types, including tanks, armored vehicles, and air defense systems. (Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, 2025)
- Serial production of cruise missiles, drones, and modern air defense systems has been launched, including joint projects with Western partners. (Bellingcat OSINT, 2025)
- Defense supply chains are strengthened: creation of local industrial hubs for repair and modernization reduces dependence on imports. (CFR, 2025)
These efforts demonstrate that Ukraine not only receives external aid but also actively develops its own defense industry, enhancing strategic resilience and the capacity for long-term national defense.
Legal Context
The myth of "Western betrayal" conceals real violations of international law by Russia:
- Violation of Article 2 of the UN Charter (prohibition of threat or use of force against the territorial integrity of another state) — link
- Violation of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols — link
- Use of violence against civilians and infrastructure, documented by UN and Human Rights Watch — link
Creating the illusion of "betrayal" allows Russia to divert attention from these violations and demoralize domestic and international audiences.
Internal Contradictions of the Myth
If the West truly "betrays" Ukraine, then why:
- Do NATO and EU countries publicly plan new aid packages?
- Are international support coalitions being organized?
- Are multi-billion-euro loans and guarantees allocated for economic and infrastructure recovery?
These facts completely undermine the narrative of ceased support.
Psychological Danger of the Myth
The propaganda claim turns genuine fatigue from war and logistical difficulties into a sense of betrayal, producing demoralization. This weakens public support for Ukraine and facilitates the Kremlin's justification of its own military failures.
Main Sources and References
- Ukraine Support Tracker — Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel, 2025)
- Reports from Le Monde, Euronews, The Washington Post (2025)
- Official statements by NATO and EU countries on long-term support
- UN documents on international law — UN Charter
- Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols — ICRC
- Disinformation monitoring by EUvsDisinfo and Atlantic Council DFRLab
About the Authors
This article was curated and verified by a team of experts in international law, human rights, and geopolitical analysis. Contributors have 15+ years of experience in research, legal documentation, and educational content development.
Methodology
The content on this site is compiled and verified by experts in international law, human rights, and geopolitical research. Sources include official legal documents, national and international legislation, resolutions of the UN, reports from international organizations, and verified open-source evidence. Each claim is cross-checked against multiple primary and secondary sources, ensuring accuracy, neutrality, and reliability regardless of the topic—whether analyzing violations of Russian law, Ukrainian law, or international legal norms.
Expert Statement
The authors affirm that the information presented reflects established legal interpretations and documented facts. Analyses are grounded in international law principles and widely recognized geopolitical assessments. References to official documents and reports are provided to ensure transparency and trustworthiness.
Last modified date: 25/11/2025