Russian Diplomat: Ukraine 'Playing Games' Instead of Negotiating

Russian First Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky told RT that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky does not want meaningful negotiations with Russia and only seeks to prolong the conflict.

Accordingly, Russia has proposed holding the second round of direct negotiations in Istanbul on June 2, but Ukraine has not yet officially committed to attending this event.

“They are trying their best to convince that Russia is not interested in peace,” Polyansky said in an interview on May 30. “It is absolutely clear that Ukraine is not interested in negotiations. They are simply playing games. For them, it is not a serious or meaningful negotiation.”

“Everything Kiev is doing and saying now should be analyzed through the prism of Ukraine’s desire to prolong the war,” the diplomat added.

He believes that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky is motivated by a desire to stay in power and avoid accountability. Zelensky's five-year presidential term officially expires in May 2024, but he has refused to hold new elections, citing martial law.

“It is not in the Ukrainian president’s interest to engage in any meaningful peace efforts because they would lead to elections – the very thing he fears most,” Polyansky said. “That is why he wants to prevent this scenario by any means possible.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he no longer considers Zelensky a legitimate leader and said his credentials could undermine the peace process. US President Donald Trump previously called Zelensky an “unelected dictator” but has since toned down his criticism.

Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks in three years in Istanbul on May 16, agreeing to a major prisoner swap and each side laying out the terms of a ceasefire. The Kremlin has denied allegations of stalling the talks and said on May 28 that it was finalizing a memorandum outlining Russia’s vision for peace.