According to Dmitry Polyansky - Russia's first permanent representative to the United Nations, Kiev has no intention of resolving the conflict with Moscow.
Speaking to RT, Mr. Polyansky said that Ukraine was deliberately prolonging the conflict and rejecting diplomatic efforts. They are doing everything they can to convince President Donald Trump that Russia does not want peace, he said. But in reality, Ukraine is the one side that has no goodwill to negotiate. They are just acting. For them, this is not a serious or meaningful negotiation process."
Russia has proposed holding a second round of direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2, following the first round on May 16 - the first direct meeting between the two sides in three years.
In the previous meeting, the two sides agreed to conduct a large-scale Prisoner exchange and discuss conditions for a ceasefire. However, Ukraine has not yet officially confirmed its participation in the next round of negotiations.
Mr. Polyansky said that President Zelensky has a political motive in avoiding negotiations, in order to maintain power and avoid responsibility. Everything Kiev is doing now needs to be seen through the lens: Ukraine wants to prolong the conflict, he said. According to the Russian diplomat, Zelensky's five-year presidency ended in May 2024, but he still refused to hold elections on grounds of martial law.
participating in serious peace efforts will lead to elections something he is most afraid of, Polyansky stressed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously said he no longer considers Zelensky a legitimate leader of Ukraine, saying this could undermine the peace process. For his part, President Donald Trump has called Zelensky a dictator who did not hold elections, although he has since eased criticism.
While Russia continues to assert that it does not hinder the negotiation process, the Kremlin announced that it is completing a memorandum of understanding stating its stance on a peaceful solution.
