This article is part of an Insight News Media investigation into how pro-Russian narratives are being amplified in the EU’s information space. We analyzed a network of websites in Austria, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Poland, and other EU countries that consistently repeat the same core messages about the war in Ukraine and the current peace talks.
These outlets, while formally based in EU member states, function as amplifiers of Russian strategic narratives. They do not merely report on the war; they actively shape perception by framing Ukraine as a defeated, illegitimate regime, NATO as the loser in a failed proxy war, and any peace as conditional on Kyiv’s surrender to Russia’s maximalist demands. Their coverage is not neutral analysis, but a deliberate effort to normalize Russia’s war aims and to shift blame for the conflict’s continuation onto Europe and Ukraine.
Pro-Russian media in the EU present a unified story: Ukraine has already lost the war, while NATO’s proxy effort collapsed. This is not framed as a prediction, but as an established fact, used to justify demands for Kyiv’s surrender.
tkp.at (Austria), in an article titled “Minsk 3.0?”, argues that the U.S. “is not seeking peace in general, and certainly not with Russia,” but only wants to freeze the conflict so that Ukraine can be rebuilt as a NATO proxy. The site concludes that “a real peace deal would realize that it was always idiotic to believe that Ukraine could stand up to Russia’s war machine – even with NATO’s backing.”
frontnieuws.com (Netherlands), in “The Trump peace proposals are a limping recognition of defeat in the proxy war”, states that “the US indirectly admits that its strategy in Ukraine has failed. NATO has lost its proxy war, and the American peace proposals are an attempt to conceal this.”
controinformazione.info (Italy), in “Russia ready for a ‘strategic victory’ in the war theater”, claims that “the Kyiv regime continues to suffer crushing defeat after crushing defeat. Needless to say, this is a development that is utterly terrifying for Washington DC and Brussels.”
wolnemedia.net (Poland), in “War or Ukraine’s Capitulation”, declares that Ukraine faces total collapse, with Russian advances proving “the Kyiv regime has no chance” and must capitulate to avoid annihilation.
hlavnydennik.sk (Slovakia), in “Moscow Rejects Trump’s ‘Carrots’: Ultimatum Issued at 4:33 PM”, reports Moscow’s rejection of U.S. offers, stating Russia will continue its operation “if Kyiv rejects Russian peace conditions,” framing Ukraine as powerless.
These outlets insist that any peace must be based on Russia’s maximalist demands: recognition of its annexations, demilitarization of Ukraine, and a neutral status that excludes NATO. They portray this not as a compromise, but as the only realistic outcome.
tkp.at (Austria) frames the U.S. “peace plan” as a blueprint for “Minsk 3.0” – a frozen conflict that “aims to freeze the ongoing conflict once again, in order to prevent any real solution.” The article warns that this would mean “doubling” Western commitment and rebuilding the Ukrainian army, effectively prolonging the war.
controinformazione.info (Italy) argues that “the Kremlin is perfectly aware of its military superiority, which is why its negotiators and diplomats participate in these peace talks with absolute confidence, unlike their American counterparts.” This is used to justify the idea that peace must be dictated by Moscow.
frontnieuws.com (Netherlands) bluntly states that “the only realistic solution is that Ukraine accepts Russia’s conditions,” presenting any alternative as a recipe for continued suffering.
These sites promote the idea that Russian forces are on the verge of a decisive breakthrough, particularly in the Donbas, and that the region will inevitably fall under Russian control regardless of negotiations.
globalresearch.ca (Canada), in “Russia Proclaims Final Victory Over Key City of Pokrovsk”, claims that “Russia has proclaimed a final victory over the key city of Pokrovsk, marking a decisive turning point in the war theater. The capture of Pokrovsk opens the way for Russian forces to complete the liberation of the Donbas region.”
controinformazione.info (Italy) asserts that “Moscow is perfectly aware that almost nothing can prevent further territorial losses for the neo-Nazi junta,” implying that Russian military victory in the Donbas is inevitable.
frontnieuws.com (Netherlands), in “Russia proclaims definitive victory over important city Pokrovsk”, states that “Russia has proclaimed definitive victory over Pokrovsk, which is a crucial step towards full control over Donbas. The Ukrainian defense in this sector has effectively collapsed.”
A central theme across these outlets is that Europe, not Russia, is responsible for the failure of peace talks. The EU is portrayed as irrational, warmongering, and desperate to sabotage any deal that would end the war on terms favorable to Russia.
tkp.at (Austria) describes the U.S. “peace plan” as a theatrical performance within American politics, where “a proposal from the ‘Trump administration’ is automatically attacked by its supposed opponents in the Democratic Party,” which in turn prompts Trump supporters to back it regardless of content. This framing implicitly absolves Russia of responsibility and shifts blame to Western political divisions.
controinformazione.info (Italy) argues that “the political West is perfectly aware that it will not fight ex-Russians driven to Russophobia during the latest CIA nation-building process,” suggesting that the West is the real aggressor and that Russia is merely defending itself.
frontnieuws.com (Netherlands), in “Peace deal carnival reaches fever pitch while nervous Europeans fight to remain relevant”, claims that “while nervous Europeans fight to remain relevant, the peace deal becomes a carnival in which the EU is standing in its own way. European leaders are blocking a serious peace settlement out of fear of becoming irrelevant.”
The pattern across these pro-Russian EU outlets is not random: it is a coherent, cross-border effort to normalize Russia’s war aims as the only realistic basis for peace. By consistently portraying Ukraine as already defeated, NATO as the loser in a failed proxy war, and Europe as the irrational obstacle to peace, these sites create a distorted picture of the conflict that serves Moscow’s strategic interests.
This narrative is not about balanced reporting; it is about conditioning audiences to accept that peace must be imposed on Kyiv, not negotiated with it. Recognizing this coordinated messaging is crucial for understanding how Russian influence operates within the EU’s own information space, especially as high-level talks continue.
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