Europe’s pro-Russia commentators are absolutely furious with this headline because it correctly describes what they are advocating. Hats off to the @Telegraph here. This is a great example of that old adage in journalism: “If someone says it's raining and another person says it's dry, it's not your job to quote them both. Your job is to look out the fucking window.” In this interview, Mendel advocates for Ukraine to surrender territory to Russia, and surrender its sovereign right to choose its own security alliances, both of which would only escalate Russian aggression in future. She also praises the German far right for their pro-Russia position and says Ukraine is 40% responsible for being invaded. So this is a perfectly correct headline summarising her position, but it’s no wonder the pro-Russia commentators are furious. They still think they can be subtle when laundering pro-Russia and pro-war positions within the language of just wanting what’s best for ordinary Ukrainians. They think if they partly acknowledge that Russia is responsible for Russia’s invasion then that gives them free rein to spout pro-Russian views without challenge. They feel smug about their ability to play this game with us all and get away with it. They are so self-entitled that they don’t expect anyone to call them out on it. Those days should be over. Call out pro-Russia and pro-war commentators for exactly what they are advocating. It’s time we all look out the fucking window.