A Shift in the Swiss Media Landscape?
The Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) has recently published a critical article on the Ukrainian politics and the role of President Volodymyr Zelensky. The article, titled “Ukrainian refugees from Poland join a new brigade at the front” questions the effectiveness of the Ukrainian war effort and the growing discontent within the Ukrainian population and the exile community.
The article highlights the Ukrainian Legion, a brigade formed by Ukrainian refugees and guest workers in Poland, which is supposed to provide much-needed soldiers for the front. However, the NZZ raises doubts about the true nature of the initiative, suggesting that it might be a PR campaign.
The idea of the Legion emerged from a bilateral agreement between Ukraine and Poland, initially aiming to conscript Polish men into the Ukrainian army. However, the Polish government, led by Donald Tusk, faced internal opposition and instead proposed the formation of a volunteer brigade. This solution seems to benefit both sides, as Poland retains the workers it needs and Ukraine receives additional soldiers.
Yet, the reality is different. Many Ukrainian refugees in Poland are skeptical about the Legion, citing a lack of motivation to fight, as most have a secure and relatively comfortable life in Poland. There are also doubts about the Legion’s effectiveness, particularly after the debacle of the 155th Brigade, which was disbanded in December due to desertions and poor leadership.
The NZZ also criticizes President Zelensky and the Ukrainian military leadership, citing inkompetent officers, outdated command structures and a culture of hiding important information. The article quotes Ukrainian war correspondent Yuri Butusov, who criticizes the lack of transparency and hierarchical structures in the army, leading to the concealment of important information and the often exaggerated reporting of the situation at the front.
This critical approach is unusual for the Swiss media landscape, but the NZZ seems to be taking a new path – towards a more nuanced and independent reporting. A slow awakening of the system media? It would be a significant step.