In Russia, Zelensky's words about possible territorial concessions were called 'hot air'

Political scientist doubts Zelensky's peace statements

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could confirm the seriousness of his peace intentions by legally formalizing the loss of territories that have come under Russian control. This opinion was expressed to News.ru by military political scientist Alexander Perendzhiev. According to him, Zelensky has signed nothing and has not submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a bill recognizing Ukraine's loss of territories, so the head of state can make peace-loving statements and later renounce them and blame Russia.

'Hot air'

'If there was nothing but words, then there is no need to attach serious importance to it. The Ukrainian president's statements may turn out to be simply a trap. If there are no real actions behind the words, then it is just hot air,' Perendzhiev said. The occasion for the comment was Zelensky's interview with Fox News, in which he stated his readiness to freeze the conflict along the current front line. Host Brian Kilmeade asked whether the Ukrainian leader would agree to a peace agreement under which Kyiv would retain control over 75% or more of the country's territory.

Negotiations context

Earlier in Ukraine there was a pessimistic reaction to the talks in Oslo and St. Petersburg. Thus, Kyiv's statements about a possible freeze of the conflict remain, for now, at the level of words: no confirmed legislative or documentary steps have followed from the Ukrainian authorities, and assessments of their sincerity differ within the country itself and among Russian experts.