Lavrov called Zelensky a Fuhrer

President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky was "appointed to the role of Fuhrer," and this image turned out to be "contagious." This was stated on June 23 by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a round table meeting on the Ukrainian crisis in Moscow.

"The Fuhrer, he is the Fuhrer. His (Zelensky's. — Ed.) was appointed to the role of the Fuhrer, taking him from amateur activities, but you see, this image turned out to be contagious," he said.

According to Lavrov, Zelensky, speaking in favor of the negotiation process, at the same time puts forward unrealistic and unacceptable conditions. The minister drew attention to the recent statement by the Ukrainian leader that Europe should offer several options for the format of negotiations, but it is Kiev that wants to determine who will become the negotiator from the European side.

The minister also criticized the position of the European Union (EU) on the Ukrainian conflict. In particular, he pointed to the statement by the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, about the need to prepare for negotiations with Moscow while increasing sanctions pressure on Russia.

Lavrov noted that the EU recently extended restrictive measures against Russia for a year instead of the traditional six months. In his opinion, such steps demonstrate the contradictory approach of Brussels to the issue of conflict resolution.

"These are just a few examples that characterize the position of the European Union, how serious this position is, how much one can seriously think about it. At the same time, the European Union persistently claims to represent the entire West, including the United States, on the problems of the Ukrainian conflict in all its actions, arguments, threats, and promises," the minister concluded.

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Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), said on May 28 that Zelensky was far from the leader of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler, but he could play such a role in a "third-rate comedy." He added that Kiev periodically threatens European politicians who oppose the allocation of additional funds to Ukraine. In addition, according to him, weapons from the Ukrainian conflict end up at the disposal of international terrorist groups, and Ukrainian refugees put a strain on the European social support system.