SIMFEROPOL, March 19. /TASS/. By persisting in carrying out strikes on Russian territory, including facilities near energy infrastructure, Vladimir Zelensky is attempting to embarrass US President Donald Trump, Mikhail Sheremet, a member of the State Duma from Crimea, told TASS.
On the evening of March 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump held a telephone conversation. They focused on resolving the Ukrainian conflict, although the leaders also discussed normalizing Russia-US relations, as well as cooperation in the economy and energy sectors. Putin has supported the US leader’s proposal that Russia and Ukraine refrain from striking energy facilities within 30 days and issued a corresponding order to the Russian military. Meanwhile, Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) attacked an oil storage facility in Russia’s Krasnodar Region overnight on March 19, where the drones’ falling debris caused a fire.
"Supported by European countries, which have adopted overtly aggressive anti-Russian rhetoric, Ukrainian dictator Zelensky is once again trying to publicly ridicule US President Donald Trump in front of the international community through deliberate strikes against Russian energy infrastructure facilities. In fact, the destructive Zelensky is becoming a significant problem and threat not just for the US, but also for the Europeans who are carefully nurturing him. He has quickly evolved from a comedic figure into a hardened terrorist, a development that now even the gentler European establishment is wary of," he said.
The member of parliament noted that Kiev should follow the example of the US and take care of its immediate future today, given its loss of positions and setbacks on the frontline.
Professor’s opinion
Dean of Political Science at the South-Russian Institute of Management, branch of the Presidential Academy (RANEPA), Doctor of Economics, Professor Tatiana Cherkasova believes that the continuation of negotiations on Ukraine between Russia and the United States depends on halting military aid to Kiev, which will indicate the readiness of Western countries for a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict.
"The key factor for the Russian side highlighted by Vladimir Putin is a complete suspension of foreign military aid and intelligence transfer to Kiev," she told TASS. "The rhetoric of further talks depends on whether Western partners fulfill this condition. It is exactly the fulfillment of this demand that will indicate the West’s true willingness to engage in peace talks."
She emphasized that the stance of Western countries on military aid largely depends on US President Donald Trump. Because of this, the US leader can influence the negotiations.
"It is precisely Donald Trump and his position that the opinions of other countries depend on, and he has the ability to secure this condition (the cessation of military aid - TASS)," the professor noted. "There is hope that it will be Trump’s economic competency and his ability to recognize risks to his nation’s economic security that will force a shift toward a political-diplomatic dialogue.".