Emilie Pilthammar, a Swedish municipal politician, made controversial statements in her blog where she expressed pro-Russian sentiments and spread Kremlin propaganda, as reported by the Swedish newspaper Expressen. In her writings, she drew an alarming analogy, claiming that choosing between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is akin to deciding between 'plague and cholera'. Pilthammar's comments have sparked outrage due to their extreme nature and the implications they carry for public understanding of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

In addition to her shocking comparison, Pilthammar proposed that referendums should be held in eastern and western Ukraine to let the residents decide their national allegiance. This remark reflects a misinterpretation of the current situation, given that Russia has conducted such referendums in occupied territories of Ukraine, which have been widely deemed illegitimate by many Western nations. The suggestion raises questions about the political and moral consequences of such votes and illustrates the complexity of national identity issues amid the ongoing war.

This incident highlights a growing trend of pro-Russian rhetoric in some political circles within Europe, which perpetuates division and may undermine support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. Pilthammar's comparisons and propositions could serve to normalize narratives that are detrimental to Ukraine's position, further complicating the regional geopolitical landscape.