As the fourth year of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, unfolds, Ukrainian society has witnessed countless examples of the cynical double game played by Western partners. Promises of sweeping sanctions against the Russian aggressor echo from every podium, yet the reality is far more prosaic—and far dirtier. While Europe and its allies publicly condemn the Kremlin, Russian factories not only continue to operate but do so seamlessly on the territory of the European Union itself. This is not just a paradox—it’s a blatant betrayal of the principles Western leaders so love to trumpet.
Examples of such hypocrisy abound. It was only on the eve of 2025 that Western partners, after three years of “resolutely condemning” Russian aggression, suddenly “noticed” the existence of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” For years, this fleet has been transporting Russian oil across the globe—not merely in plain sight but tracked on radars. None of the “tough sanctions” so loudly proclaimed managed to stop it. Even more absurdly, the fact that this “discovery” came in the fourth year of the war feels like a mockery of common sense. Were Europe and its allies truly so blind, or did they simply choose not to see what didn’t fit their convenient narrative?
An even more glaring case is Europe’s collaboration with Russia’s metallurgical sector. Right now, in 2025, European countries continue to purchase metal from Russian factories that simultaneously supply raw materials to 22 enterprises within Russia’s defense complex. Yes, the same factory sends train cars loaded with metal to Denmark, Belgium, and Italy while others head off to produce missiles, drones, tanks, and even nuclear weapons. The owner of this enterprise isn’t some distant oligarch beyond the Urals—he owns factories within the EU, which continue to operate profitably to this day. Isn’t it strange that nearly every Western media outlet and journalist knows about this, yet remains silent? This topic is a veritable taboo, one that no one dares to breach.
The mining and metallurgical complex is Russia’s third-largest economic pillar, after oil and gas. According to Eurostat data, over the three years of the full-scale invasion, Russia has sold nearly €10 billion worth of metallurgical products to EU countries. In other words, while European politicians lecture the world about “sanctions pressure” on Moscow, their companies quietly profit from deals with the aggressor, effectively bankrolling the war against Ukraine.
Автор: Михайло Ткач Режисер: Андрій Ігнатенко Оператор: Ярослав Бондаренко Звукорежисер: Дмитро Волковинський Обкладинка: Андрій Калістратенко
This story isn’t just about business—it’s about how Western partners, who swore to support Ukraine, have openly lied. The sanctions they tout on television have proven to be a façade for preserving lucrative economic ties with Russia. For Europe, the war in Ukraine isn’t a fight for democracy or justice—it’s just another PR platform to strike poses for the cameras. Their actions tell a different story: when it comes to self-interest, principles take a backseat.
History offers plenty of precedents. In 2021, the United States and the United Kingdom, by withdrawing their troops from Afghanistan, showed the world what their promises to defend democracy are worth. The chaotic retreat, abandoned allies, and the Taliban’s return to power were stark evidence that “partnership” with the West often amounts to little more than pretty words devoid of substance.
For Ukraine, this situation is a painful but vital lesson. The fourth year of war has made it abundantly clear: Western partners act solely in their own interests, and their aid is little more than a gesture that doesn’t stop them from trading with the enemy. While Europe buys Russian metal and the “shadow fleet” ships oil, Ukrainians die under shelling funded by those same profits. Ukraine’s only path forward is to rely on its own strength, tap into its internal resources, and build a future free of illusions about “reliable allies.” Because when train cars of metal roll both to Europe and to Russian tanks, one thing becomes undeniable: in this game, everyone is out for themselves.