24 Mar, 10:08

US would need to push to replace Zelensky for successful talks on Ukraine, former PM says

According to Nikolay Azarov, the current Kiev regime "will not implement anything," as it is only looking "to stay in power for as long as possible"

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. Whether talks on resolving the Ukraine conflict will be successful depends on whether the United States presses to replace Vladimir Zelensky’s regime, which has proved incapable of negotiating, Nikolay Azarov, a former Ukrainian prime minister, told Rossiya-24 television.

"It’s worth holding peace talks involving such a powerful nation as [the United States of] America, given the Americans can compel [Kiev into implementing agreements] by replacing the regime, by replacing Zelensky, actually," said Azarov, who served as Ukraine’s prime minister for four years from 2010. "It’s clear already that Zelensky is a major obstacle to peace, which is why the Americans have made it clear that the Ukrainians must hold an election, and holding an election somehow means replacing the regime, but only if there are necessary conditions for that," he argued.

According to Azarov, the current Kiev regime "will not implement anything," as it is only looking "to stay in power for as long as possible." "Obviously, it’s worth holding any peace talks given Mr. [US President Donald] Trump and his administration can ensure that all agreements are implemented," he continued.

Zelensky’s presidential powers ended on May 20, 2024. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stressed that Zelensky’s government is illegitimate, therefore, he insists, Moscow would need to search for a legitimate authority to sign legally binding agreements with. Trump has noted that, with Zelensky currently having approval ratings of 4%, Ukraine needs to hold an election. Later, Trump called Zelensky a dictator for "cancelling elections."

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