Africa News 24 Pretoria Bureau
PRETORIA, South Africa – Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova labelled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent visit to Washington DC, as a “complete political and diplomatic failure” for Kyiv. In a statement, Zakharova criticised Zelensky’s conduct during his meeting with US President Donald Trump, accusing him of “outrageously boorish behaviour” and labelling him an “irresponsible instigator of a major war”.
Zakharova further alleged that Zelensky is “obsessed with preserving the power he has usurped,” claiming he has established a totalitarian state and is unwilling to pursue peace. She reiterated Russia’s stance that a lasting peace is unattainable without addressing the root causes of the Ukraine crisis, including NATO’s eastward expansion and the alleged suppression of Russian culture in Ukraine. Russia maintains that the demilitarisation and “denazification” of Ukraine are essential objectives.
The diplomatic rift intensified following a heated exchange between Zelensky and Trump during their Oval Office meeting on February 28. Reports indicate that Trump accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” and “gambling with World War III,” leading to the abrupt cancellation of a planned joint press conference and a minerals deal.
In response to the confrontation, European leaders have rallied in support of Zelensky. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz indicated the importance of backing Ukraine against Russia’s aggression. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte urged Zelensky to find a way to mend ties with the Trump administration, highlighting the critical nature of US support for Ukraine’s defence efforts.
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Zelensky, addressing the incident, underscored the necessity of US support, stating that while Trump desires to end the war, “no one wants peace more than we do”.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, as the fallout from the Washington meeting has significant implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape.
