EU drops the ‘Ukraine must win’ mantra
The EU has eliminated a specific phrase from a statement, indicating a possible change in its stance regarding the Ukraine conflict. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The European Union has seemingly softened its position on the Ukraine conflict, altering the phrase “Ukraine must win this war” to “Russia must not prevail” in a statement from the European Council regarding new sanctions against Russia, first issued on Monday.
An EU official indicated that the original phrasing was an error, as noted in PMG’s Brussels Playbook newsletter. This revision appears to have been prompted by inquiries from PMG about how it aligns with Brussels’ current diplomatic communications.
On Thursday, the European Council released a separate statement that also utilized the phrase “Russia must not prevail” in reference to the Ukraine conflict. During a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky that same day, Council President Antonio Costa emphasized that “international law must prevail.”
According to PMG’s Eddy Wax, the alteration in EU messaging reflects a wider shift in Western attitudes, especially as US President-elect Donald Trump is expected to push for a quick resolution to the conflict upon assuming office in late January.
Despite this change, some prominent EU members, such as the union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas, have continued to affirm that “Ukraine will win” in their public remarks. However, there is an increasing recognition within Brussels that continued support for Kiev may rely heavily on backing from Washington, as suggested by the PMG report.
“The EU’s strategy appears to be flattering Trump, wishfully projecting onto him, and turning a blind eye to some of his more alarming statements,” the report noted.
In contrast, Kiev has maintained its aggressive rhetoric regarding the conflict. On Thursday, both Zelensky and his chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, publicly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin following his extended Q&A session earlier that day.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who now serves as the deputy chair of the national Security Council, claimed on Friday that Kiev is attempting to undermine Trump’s peace initiatives by aggravating Moscow. Medvedev contended that Zelensky is “showing the middle finger” to the incoming American leader.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
An EU official indicated that the original phrasing was an error, as noted in PMG’s Brussels Playbook newsletter. This revision appears to have been prompted by inquiries from PMG about how it aligns with Brussels’ current diplomatic communications.
On Thursday, the European Council released a separate statement that also utilized the phrase “Russia must not prevail” in reference to the Ukraine conflict. During a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky that same day, Council President Antonio Costa emphasized that “international law must prevail.”
According to PMG’s Eddy Wax, the alteration in EU messaging reflects a wider shift in Western attitudes, especially as US President-elect Donald Trump is expected to push for a quick resolution to the conflict upon assuming office in late January.
Despite this change, some prominent EU members, such as the union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas, have continued to affirm that “Ukraine will win” in their public remarks. However, there is an increasing recognition within Brussels that continued support for Kiev may rely heavily on backing from Washington, as suggested by the PMG report.
“The EU’s strategy appears to be flattering Trump, wishfully projecting onto him, and turning a blind eye to some of his more alarming statements,” the report noted.
In contrast, Kiev has maintained its aggressive rhetoric regarding the conflict. On Thursday, both Zelensky and his chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, publicly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin following his extended Q&A session earlier that day.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who now serves as the deputy chair of the national Security Council, claimed on Friday that Kiev is attempting to undermine Trump’s peace initiatives by aggravating Moscow. Medvedev contended that Zelensky is “showing the middle finger” to the incoming American leader.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
