Core Thesis and Purpose
Propagandists claim that Zelensky allegedly leads the country "to the last Ukrainian," refusing peace for personal ambitions or "Western instructions." This thesis devalues the will of the people and shifts responsibility for the war from the aggressor onto the victim. Beneath the emotional rhetoric lies manipulation targeting societal fatigue and the desire for immediate conflict resolution.
Psychological and Rhetorical Mechanisms
Russian media, bots, and Telegram channels actively employ repetition, emotional labels ("ignoring the people," "prolonged war for career"), and pseudo-evidence. These methods create the impression of malevolence by Ukrainian authorities, whereas the president's actual stance focuses on citizen protection and sovereignty preservation.
The linguistic trap is evident: the word "ignores" creates the image of an "internal enemy," increasing psychological pressure and demoralizing the population.
Fact-Checking and International Context
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UN, OSCE, and Amnesty International reports confirm that Ukraine repeatedly proposed peaceful negotiation formats, including third-party mediation and diplomatic channels, in line with international standards.
OSINT investigations by Bellingcat and Atlantic Council DFRLab record that Russia blocks negotiation progress and continues aggression. Zelensky acts within the Constitution of Ukraine and the law on martial law, emphasizing citizen protection and strategic defense rather than "prolonging the war for ambitions."
Legal Analysis
The propagandist claim conceals Russia's factual violations: invasion of Ukrainian territory, shelling of civilian infrastructure, use of prohibited weapons, and deliberate attacks on civilians. These actions constitute violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.
By accusing Ukrainian authorities, Russia attempts to conceal its international law violations and shift responsibility onto the victim of aggression.
Psychological and Logical Traps
The narrative exploits learned helplessness, "us versus them" polarization, and social comparison. The false dilemma "either surrender or the people perish" creates the impression of a choice between moral and physical catastrophe, ignoring Ukraine's strategic decision-making.
Linguistic devices — "to the last Ukrainian," "ignoring voices" — create the appearance of malevolence, although facts show concern for citizens' lives.
Internal Contradictions
If the Ukrainian leadership truly ignored the people, international partners would not provide political, financial, and military support. Diplomatic channels would remain closed, and peaceful initiatives would not be recorded in official international reports.
Strategic Function and Conclusion
The "catastrophe" and "ignoring the people" myth demoralizes the population, undermines government legitimacy, and justifies external interference. Mechanisms include repetition, emotional substitution of logic, and pseudo-evidence. The motive is to weaken internal resilience and international support for Ukraine.
Facts and international expert analysis demonstrate the narrative's complete falsehood and its societal danger, creating disinformation and distrust at a critical moment of the war.
Main Sources and References
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