Nebenzya Blames Zelensky and EU for Prolonging Ukraine Conflict

Reported Facts

Observable data points shared across all narratives

•On 2026-04-23, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine had agreed a 'drone deal' with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
•EU institutions have begun the formal process to approve a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine.
•The same EU process also covers a 20th package of sanctions measures targeting Russia.
•Zelenskyy has said that the EU has not yet fully approved the €90 billion support package.
•Zelenskyy has warned that sanctions relief and weak enforcement are helping Russia finance and expand its war effort.
•Ukraine has stepped up drone and missile attacks on Russian oil facilities, aiming to cut Moscow’s export revenues.
•Russian UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya has said the conflict in Ukraine remains unresolved because, in his view, Zelenskyy and EU leaders want to continue it.
•Nebenzya has also alleged that weapons supplied to Ukraine are being re-exported and appearing in other parts of the world.

Core Disagreement— War Responsibility

According to West, russia’s invasion and attacks keep the war going.. However, Russia sources see it as kyiv and eu leaders choose to prolong the conflict..

Narrative Split

How different information blocks interpret these facts

Gulf Drone Ties

Middle Eastern coverage highlights Ukraine’s new drone cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE as a sign that Gulf states are becoming more involved in the war’s military supply chain. Commentators in the region see this as both an economic opportunity and a way for these countries to gain influence with Kyiv and Western partners. They also note that such deals may deepen Russia’s concerns about losing ground in markets and political ties across the Middle East.

•Zelenskyy says Ukraine has signed a drone production or supply deal with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.
•Gulf states are portrayed as expanding their role in advanced weapons production linked to the Ukraine conflict.
•Regional commentators suggest the drone deal could strengthen Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian targets at long range.
•Some voices in the Middle East say closer defense ties with Kyiv may improve Gulf relations with the US and Europe.
•Others in the region warn that deeper involvement in Ukraine-related arms deals could strain ties with Russia.

WEST

Sanctions, Support Gap

Western and Ukrainian sources describe Russia’s invasion and continued attacks as the core reason the war has not ended. They argue that delays and loopholes in sanctions, and slow delivery of aid, are giving Moscow time and money to keep fighting. Zelenskyy and Western governments say more pressure on Russian oil exports and faster financial support are needed to change the Kremlin’s calculations.

•EU leaders are advancing a €90 billion loan and a 20th sanctions package to help Ukraine resist Russia and cut Moscow’s war funding.
•Zelenskyy says the lack of fresh and fully enforced sanctions encourages Russia to continue its offensive.

Kyiv, EU Blame

Russian officials present the war’s continuation as the result of choices made by Kyiv and its Western backers. Vasily Nebenzya portrays Zelenskyy and EU leaders as uninterested in compromise and as profiting politically from a long conflict. Russian voices also warn that Western arms for Ukraine are leaking into other regions, which they say proves Western policy is reckless.

•Vasily Nebenzya says the conflict in Ukraine is still unresolved because Zelenskyy and EU leaders want to keep fighting instead of negotiating.
•Russian officials argue that Western military and financial support removes any incentive for Kyiv to seek a settlement.

Create a free account to read all perspectives

Already have an account? Sign in

Where Narratives Diverge

Key disagreements, blind spots, and what to watch next.

War Responsibility⚡Disputed

West

Russia’s invasion and attacks keep the war going.

Russia

Kyiv and EU leaders choose to prolong the conflict.

So what

Readers cannot easily judge which side is mainly blocking a ceasefire or talks.

Sanctions Effect◇Different Reading

West

Stronger sanctions will cut Russia’s war funding.

Russia

Sanctions aim to weaken Russia and fuel confrontation.

So what

It is hard to tell whether new sanctions would shorten or lengthen the war.

Peace Terms○Nobody Covers

No block details concrete peace terms that Russia or Ukraine would currently accept, making it hard to see whether any realistic compromise exists.

EU Loan Decision▸What to Watch

A final EU decision on the €90 billion loan and 20th sanctions package in the coming weeks will show how far Europe is ready to go in backing Ukraine and pressuring Russia.

UN, OSCE Talks▸What to Watch

Any new UN or OSCE-backed talks involving Russia and Ukraine, even informal ones, would clarify whether either side is ready to shift from fighting toward negotiations.

What Could Happen If...

▸If the EU fully approves the €90 billion loan and a tough 20th sanctions package against Russia Ukraine could secure longer-term funding while Russia faces more pressure on its economy and export earnings.

Market Exposure

Different sides disagree on how this affects markets. The same instrument may move in opposite directions depending on which reading proves correct.

According to West sources

CommodityBrent CrudeIncreased Volatility

If Ukraine’s expanded drone capacity from Gulf deals leads to more strikes on Russian oil facilities, traders may expect supply disruptions and swing Brent prices sharply on each attack report.

Source Coverage

WEST

3 articles

1 articles

OFFICIAL

1 articles

REGIONAL

4 articles

Narrative Analysis

Divergence Detectedconfidence: 95%

Signals

Cross-block coverage detectedMultiple blocks covering the same event

Primary Sources (12)

WESTNew York Times - WorldZelensky details deals Ukraine signed to bolster Gulf nations’ defense against Iranian drones.WESTLe Monde - InternationalEN DIRECT, guerre en Ukraine : le point sur la situation WESTLe Monde - InternationalEN DIRECT, guerre en Ukraine : « L’absence de nouvelles sanctions encourage la Russie à poursuivre cette guerre », juge Volodymyr Zelensky