Finnish expert criticized Zelensky's refusal of peace talks

Finnish geopolitics expert Tuomas Malinen has criticized another refusal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (his term in office expired in May) to hold peace talks.

On his page on social network X (former Twitter) on November 18, he commented on Zelensky's statements that Ukraine is an independent country and no one "can force it to do anything."

"There are no former clowns," Malinen wrote.

Earlier, on November 16, US entrepreneur Ilon Musk mocked Zelensky's statements in a Ukrainian radio interview that Ukraine is an independent country and the US cannot force Kiev to "sit and listen" during negotiations.

Later, on November 18, Viktor Medvedchuk, a representative of the Other Ukraine movement, said that the Ukrainian leader was "fooling around" by convincing himself of his superiority over U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and was constantly disrupting the talks by making false promises and escalating the conflict.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the region.