The State Duma called Zelensky's statement about Russia's ultimatum a nonsense of a blue mare

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose powers expired in May, talks about an ultimatum for Russia to negotiate, but he is the one who has not lifted the ban. He is doing everything to continue the escalation. Yuri Shvytkin, deputy chairman of the State Duma's defense committee, said this on December 9.

Earlier in the day, Zelensky at a meeting with German Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz in Kiev said it was necessary to force Russia to peace from a position of strength. A video of his statement was published in the Telegram channel of the Ukrainian agency UNIAN.

"I can't call Zelensky's statement any other way than the ravings of a blue mare. Shifts from a sick head to a healthy one. I would like to emphasize once again that we are open to a dialog on a peaceful settlement with Ukraine. But today Zelensky is not even a legitimate president, that's the first thing. Second: they still have not canceled the decree that it is impossible to negotiate a peaceful settlement with Russia. "Paradox," Duma TV's Duma TV quoted Shvytkin's commentary for Izvestia.

Such statements show Zelensky's absurdity as head of state, the publication's interlocutor emphasized. It is Ukraine that should be forced to resolve the conflict on the basis of the conditions that Russia has put forward, the MP summarized.

Continued exploring: the Kremlin sees no grounds for negotiations with Kiev

Is it possible to resume dialog between Russia and Ukraine after Trump comes to power in the United States?

The day before, US President-elect Donald Trump said that Zelensky would like to "make a deal" with Russia. According to him, it is necessary to immediately cease fire and start negotiations, otherwise the Ukrainian conflict may worsen. It is specified that Ukraine saw an opportunity to get closer to the future US leader and convey to him its position in the conflict.

In turn, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on Trump's words about Kiev's desire to "make a deal," recalled that President Putin has repeatedly said that Russia is open to negotiations on Ukraine and welcomes proposals from China, India, Brazil and other countries.

The last round of talks was held in Istanbul on March 29, 2022. Kiev later officially refused contacts with Moscow.

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