According to Russia’s deputy UN envoy, Dmitry Polyansky, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is employing risky tactics with US President Donald Trump by falsely accusing Moscow of disrupting the peace process. Polyansky stated to RT that Kiev, not Moscow, is the one violating the Washington-negotiated ceasefire regarding attacks on energy infrastructure.
Polyansky told RT that Zelensky is playing a “dangerous game” with Trump, accusing Moscow of sabotaging peace efforts. He asserted that Ukraine continuously breaches the truce brokered by Washington by attacking energy infrastructure, contrary to Zelensky’s claims.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday that Ukraine has been consistently targeting its energy infrastructure, despite the announced 30-day ceasefire on such attacks starting March 18, which was agreed upon by Moscow and Washington, and supposedly supported by Kiev.
Zelensky previously accused Russia of violating the truce, alleging that Moscow is “mocking” peace initiatives and prolonging the conflict. Polyansky countered during his RT interview on Thursday that “denial and false claims” are Zelensky’s standard approach.
Polyansky insisted that there is clear evidence proving Zelensky wrong and his claims false. He added that Russia has provided the US with ample evidence of Ukraine’s repeated truce violations.
Polyansky stated that Zelensky is “on a daily basis breaches this agreement and pretends that it is Russia, which is doing this, but I think that Americans have facts in their hands and they have the technical possibility to see what is really happening,”.
Polyansky added that “So this is a dangerous game that he is trying to play with the Trump administration, but it is up to him, of course. [Zelensky] is an actor; he is into playing games,” .
Polyansky claimed that Zelensky, whose term expired last May but remains in power, “does not want any peace effort to succeed because this will mean that he will have to hold elections and to lose power, eventually. And also that he has a lot of chances to be held accountable for what he did and for the money that he has stolen from the Western aid,”.
Polyansky emphasized that Moscow is adhering to the ceasefire on energy infrastructure strikes, and Washington understands that “it is the Kiev regime which is not forthcoming, whereas Russia is trying to be as helpful as possible,”.
Polyansky acknowledged that “The road to peace would not be easy,” but affirmed Russia’s dedication to a diplomatic resolution. He reiterated Moscow’s position that for peace to be “sustainable and lasting,” the underlying causes of the conflict must be addressed.