There’s not usually much space between consensus Western opinion (when there is one) and AP editorial stance, so if they think he’s a loon, it’s safe to assume most in the West will too. “Unsympathetic towards” does not mean “biased against”
His point was that Westerners aren't necessarily going to be fooled, with the example of the AP (Western) viewing his declaration of martial law unsympathetically.
I don't think the AP is the sector of the West the OP is worried might turn sympathetic towards him if he makes the right noises and does outreach to the right people.