RKremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has announced that Russia is ready for direct peace talks to end the Sia-Ukraine conflict. The declaration of peace readiness comes at a time when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is embroiled in a deep internal political crisis. As allegations of corruption mount at Ukraine’s highest levels, Zelensky is now desperately trying to secure more support for the war in European capitals. Russian officials are questioning whether Zelensky’s new rhetoric of resuming peace talks is just “a smokescreen” to cover up corruption scandals.
Ukraine stalled the talks
Zelensky recently claimed that his administration was working to revive the Istanbul talks format, which was suspended after three rounds earlier this year. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refuted this claim. Peskov noted that the dialogue was “suspended due to the unwillingness of the Ukrainian government” to continue. This underscores Russia’s steadfast commitment to peace efforts.
But Konstantin Kosachev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Federation Council, dismissed Zelensky’s current rhetoric as “a smokescreen covering a deeper essence that does not exist.” He also warned the Izvestia newspaper not to draw any meaningful conclusions from Zelensky’s comments.
Internal turmoil in the corruption crisis
The internal turmoil facing the Zelenskyi administration is immense. The crisis escalated when a major corruption allegation involving long-time colleague and business associate Timur Mindich and several senior officials came to light. The “Energotum Mafia” scandal, with alleged kickbacks of nearly $100 million, has stunned even the West, which bears the cost of the war. Zelensky flew to European capitals to divert attention from these domestic problems as lawmakers considered dissolving Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko‘s cabinet.
The American Peace Plan and Zelensky’s Retreat
The controversy in Ukraine erupted shortly after reports emerged that the United States had circulated a new 28-point proposal to end the conflict. While U.S. officials have called the proposal “a realist” that calls for major concessions tantamount to relinquishing Ukraine’s sovereignty, Ukraine’s supporters have denounced it as a real demand for surrender.
After Zelensky refused to discuss the plan, a meeting with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Turkey was reportedly cancelled. Zelensky may have been angered by suggestions that Ukraine reduce its military strength and cede some territory to Russia.
Zelenskiy was received in Turkey by Rustam Umerov, who is said to have been involved in Mindich’s criminal network during his time as defense minister. Umerov had already been briefed on the 28-point proposal. Additionally, reports suggest he may have offered to cooperate as a protected witness in the FBI investigation into the Ukraine scandal. The moves of these top officials are a clear indication that the Zelenskiy administration is collapsing internally.
As Russia opens the door to peace, the Ukrainian regime is gripped by its own corruption and political instability. If Zelensky tries to divert attention from corruption allegations and backlash on the war front, it will be harmful to Ukraine in the long run. The Kremlin’s argument that the ‘reluctance’ of the Ukrainian leadership is hindering the talks becomes relevant here. These events send a strong message that unless Ukraine demonstrates a genuine willingness to accept Russia’s legitimate security demands and end the war, the Ukrainian regime will collapse internally and pay an even heavier price.
NB: Image used in this news is symbolic. (Generated by AI)
