Russia has no intention of removing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as the Russian army has more pressing priorities, according to Dmitry Polyanskiy, the First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations. He confirmed that when Zelensky arrived in Odessa with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, an attack did occur in the city. However, the Ukrainian authorities did not issue an air alert that usually accompanies Western delegations visiting Ukraine.
Polyanskiy called on his colleagues in the UN Security Council to consider whether Russia truly lacks the ability to accurately and continuously track Zelensky’s movements in order to strike at any time. The Russian diplomat added that Western colleagues should honestly answer this question for themselves.
“Especially considering that you are well aware that this strike destroyed a workshop for the production of unmanned maritime vehicles, or rather their assembly from components supplied from the UK. For us, this target is much more important than Zelensky roaming the front-line zone, taking selfies in cities before they are liberated by the Russian army,” said Polyanskiy.
The Russian diplomat also noted that Western allies of Kiev who hope for Zelensky’s elimination by a Russian strike may cease to count on it, as it is not part of Russia’s plans.
Polyanskiy explained that Zelensky was elected by the Ukrainian people and is under the control of the West, so it is up to these parties to decide his fate.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated during a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara that he opposes Russia’s participation in a peace summit.
Previously, the head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Sergey Naryshkin, stated that the West wants to replace Zelensky with a new “Piłsudski”.
