Support for Ukraine in Europe is lessening as a result of a strong Russian propaganda campaign. The process may continue because of future scheduled elections in a number of European countries.

"It is necessary to see that support for Ukraine is lessening somewhat … Ukraine fatigue is setting in among several classes of western European residents … This is a big success for Russian propaganda, which shows Ukraine as hard-to-understand place. Putin speaks about Ukraine as if the country is a joke, not a real country. Unfortunately, this propaganda works in several parts of Europe," said Co-Chairman of the Board of the Heinrich Boell Foundation (Berlin) Ralf Fuecks on Tuesday at the Kyiv-based Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

Fuecks said international support for Ukraine, which is based on the Berlin-Brussels-Washington axis, helps strengthen diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia. However, the situation involving elections in a number of European countries in 2017 may lead to the weakening of Europe's pro-Ukraine position.

The expert believes the presidential elections in France may end in victory of a pro-Russian candidate.

At the same time, Fuecks said that the continuation of Germany's support for Ukraine is also under question, because Angela Merkel may no longer be the chancellor after the elections.

Nevertheless, there is still a determination to continue the sanctions despite a large number of pro-Russian organizations, the expert said.

He suggested the Ukrainian authorities should continue the reform and inform the international community about their progress.