Ukraine live briefing: Brutal fighting as Russia focuses on seizing salt mining town near Bakhmut
Washington PostDec 23, 2022
Day 351: Zelenskyy Addresses EU Summit, Fighting Rages Around Bakhmut
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Image copyright: Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters
The Facts
On Thursday, during a summit of EU leaders, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked European countries for helping Ukraine while urging them to send more weapons to help Kyiv's forces. It came as the Kremlin responded to Zelenskyy's visit to the UK that took place the previous day, stating Ukraine would suffer if Western nations sent it fighter jets.
In his address, Zelenskyy said that a victory for Ukraine would be a victory for European values. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, also posted a photo of himself and Pres. Zelenskyy with the caption: “Welcome home, welcome to the EU" via Twitter.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
This invasion is an egregious violation of international law. Putin's ultimate aim is to restore the Soviet empire, even if it takes massive bloodshed and false pretexts such as calling the 2014 Ukrainian revolution after an election a "coup". This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.
