“Zelensky began to promote war instead of peace,” the Kremlin accuses in a new attack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came to power with “promises of peace” but instead began to “promote war”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday, according to TASS.

“Zelensky won the election against (then Ukrainian President Pyotr) Poroshenko based on promises of peace. But instead of keeping his word, he continued to violate the Minsk Agreements and bide his time. It became clear that no one intended (to implement the agreements). He began to promote war instead of peace,” Peskov told TV reporter Pavel Zarubin when asked if what he said Zelensky after winning the elections can be considered a proof of Kiev's plans to prepare for war, notes News.ro.

The Kremlin spokesman added that the Minsk Agreements were, in fact, a staged plan that had been signed by all parties, including Poroshenko.

Ukraine abandons the goal of joining NATO

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was open to dialogue on Sunday ahead of talks in Berlin with representatives of US President Donald Trump and European leaders, according to AFP and Reuters. The Kiev leader also said his country had given up membership ambitions in return for Western security guarantees as a form of compromise to end the war launched by Russia in February 2022.

The decision represents a drastic change of position for Ukraine, which has the goal of membership mentioned in the constitution, and meets one of Russia's demands.

Zelenskiy said he hoped the United States would support a frontline freeze in Ukraine in its current form.

“The most correct possible option is to 'stay where we are'. This is true, because it is a ceasefire… I know that Russia does not see this in a positive way, and I would like the Americans to support us in this matter,” the Ukrainian president told reporters shortly before arriving in Berlin.