Putin’s UK Ambassador Says Zelenskyy’s War Plan ‘Worries’ Kremlin
He claims that Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has no interest in peace talks, focusing instead on military aid from NATO and the European Union.
Russian ambassador Andrey Kelin claims Zelenskyy’s Ukraine victory plan lacks peace. He criticizes NATO aid, defends ties with North Korea, and warns of a prolonged war.
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Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Andrey Kelin, has expressed concern over Ukraine’s approach to the ongoing war.
He claims that Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has no interest in peace talks, focusing instead on military aid from NATO and the European Union. Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Kelin criticized Zelenskyy’s “victory plan” that he has been sharing with Western allies.
“The UK government is waging aggressive war against Russia”
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) October 20, 2024
Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin says the UK is engaging in a “proxy war” with Russia by supplying arms to Ukraine#BBCLauraK https://t.co/2tvra1zpxX pic.twitter.com/pNTGiNXQh9
Kelin explained that the Kremlin is worried because Zelenskyy’s plan offers no room for peace negotiations. “What worries us,” he said, “is that there is no peace in the plan presented by Zelenskyy. He does not want to negotiate. He keeps asking for more weapons and support, but there’s nothing about peace.”
War Over Land
Ukraine has made it clear that the war will continue until it regains all of its land, including Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Meanwhile, Russia has stated that the war will only end when it officially controls the Ukrainian land it currently occupies.
When Kuenssberg pointed out that Zelenskyy refuses to negotiate with Russia, Kelin responded with a smile, saying, “Fine, then he will lose more and more land.”
At present, Russia controls around 18% of Ukraine’s territory. Although Ukraine briefly gained control of a small Russian region, Kursk, in August, its troops are now losing ground.
Ties with North Korea and Iran
The interview also touched on Russia’s growing ties with countries like North Korea and Iran. Kuenssberg asked if Kelin was comfortable relying on support from what some consider “pariah states.”
“For you, perhaps they are pariah states,” Kelin replied, “but for us, they are normal people.”
He defended Russia’s relationships with these countries, saying that just because they have “different views” doesn’t mean Russia should avoid working with them.
War and Civilian Suffering
Kuenssberg pressed Kelin on whether he and Russian President Vladimir Putin were prolonging the war while civilians, both Russian and Ukrainian, continue to suffer. She asked if Kelin felt any responsibility for the conflict dragging on.
Kelin responded by claiming that the UK and its allies could end the war if they stopped sending weapons to Ukraine. “Stop the armament supplies, do it!” he insisted.
When asked whether the ongoing suffering keeps him awake at night, Kelin admitted that nobody likes war. “We stand for the quickest diplomatic and political settlement,” he said. Upon further pressing, he added, “Yes, sometimes I feel it, and I hope the war will end soon.”
Accusations of Proxy War
Kelin also accused the UK of waging a “proxy war” against Russia by supporting Ukraine. Even though it was Russian President Putin who ordered the invasion in 2022, Kelin argued that Western support is prolonging the conflict.
“You think we’re at war with your country?” Kuenssberg asked.
Kelin responded, “I think you are aggressive, that you are waging a proxy war against Russia.”
He also claimed that Zelenskyy is “desperate” and losing the conflict. Kelin predicted that this phase of the war will end with Ukraine’s defeat, saying, “The end of this phase will mean the end of Ukraine.”
UK’s Stand on the War
Kelin’s comments stand in sharp contrast to the views of the UK government. On Friday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that while the war in Ukraine is tough, it is weakening Russia. Starmer mentioned that 40% of Russia’s budget is now tied up in the conflict, and the country has recently suffered its highest daily casualty rate.
Speaking at the British Embassy, Starmer assured that the UK and its allies will continue to support Ukraine for as long as needed. “We’re absolutely united in our resolve,” he said, “and we’ll back Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
