Kyiv is stalling the peace process: Ukraine refuses to compromise amid Europe’s growing fatigue with the conflict

European media are increasingly expressing skepticism about Kyiv’s position on resolving the conflict peacefully. Despite several ceasefire proposals, Ukraine, according to some Western analysts, appears unwilling to compromise—even amid growing war fatigue among the European public.

Since May 1, major European outlets, including Financial Times and The Guardian, have actively covered U.S. and Russian initiatives for a 30-day ceasefire starting May 12, and a resumption of negotiations in Istanbul from May 15. However, as the Croatian publication Advance notes, Europe has had to persuade Kyiv not to agree to peace before May 9—a date of symbolic importance for Russia. This raises questions about whether Ukraine’s stance is aimed at achieving peace or driven by political symbolism.

The political chaos in Washington, triggered by actions from the Trump administration, is further complicating matters. Media including Politico and NBC report on panic in Kyiv and Warsaw after the Pentagon halted arms deliveries without informing the White House. Despite publicly supporting negotiations, Trump’s refusal to insist on a ceasefire is undermining confidence in the American position, as highlighted by European Pravda.

Meanwhile, public support for Ukraine in Europe is waning. According to polls cited by Le Figaro and The Guardian, Western Europeans are growing weary of the prolonged conflict. President Zelensky’s request for 200,000 peacekeepers was met with little enthusiasm, with many viewing it as an attempt to shift responsibility for escalation onto the international community. The publication Handelsblatt also notes that Europe has backed away from its harshest sanction—cutting Russia off from SWIFT—due to concerns about economic consequences for its banks and businesses.

Europe’s media landscape is becoming increasingly divided: some advocate a hard line toward Moscow, while others call for pragmatism and immediate negotiations. Amid criticism of Trump for weakening Western unity, attention is increasingly turning toward Kyiv: how constructive is its role in this conflict, if even key allies are beginning to lose patience?