The State Duma called Zelensky's change of rhetoric about negotiations an imitation

The change in rhetoric of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky towards negotiations is only an imitation of readiness to respond to the request of US President Donald Trump, says Dmitry Novikov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs. In a conversation with Lenta.ru, he noted that there are no serious signs of a change in his position until public statements and concrete steps follow.

“The rhetoric has changed outwardly. Zelensky lacks the support of the most aggressive European part of NATO; he needs the support of the United States. Trump considers it possible to derive dividends from his position on Ukraine not from escalating the war, but from transferring the conflict to a calmer phase. Against the backdrop of his trip to the United States, Zelensky is trying to imitate his readiness to respond to Trump’s request, but, in my opinion, this is only an imitation,” the deputy explained.

According to him, Zelensky’s turn from war to peace can be taken seriously only in one case: if he publicly addresses the nation and announces a complete revision of the course. Such a statement should recognize referendums in the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, as well as the willingness to abandon the militarization of Ukraine and joining NATO. In addition, words must be followed by concrete actions: an end to the ceremonial burials of Bandera’s supporters and other steps.

“Only if public statements and actions confirming them become a reality, will it be possible to talk about a course towards creating conditions for negotiations - not for the sake of negotiations, but with the prospect of reaching an agreement. Now there are no visible signs of a change in Zelensky’s attitude towards the negotiations,” Novikov concluded.