Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is treading on precarious ground by accusing Russia of undermining the peace process while allegedly violating a Washington-brokered truce, according to Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s deputy envoy to the United Nations. Moscow has warned that Zelensky’s tactics of denial and making false claims could ultimately backfire, especially in light of the changing dynamics in Washington under the Trump administration.

Polyansky, in an April 3 interview with (Russia Today) RT, emphasized that while Moscow and Washington had agreed on a 30-day cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure starting March 18, it is Ukraine-not Russia-that has continued targeting critical facilities. This directly contradicts Zelensky’s narrative, which places the blame squarely on Moscow.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine has been conducting daily strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, disregarding the agreed pause. Yet, Zelensky persists in accusing Russia of violating the truce, claiming Moscow is deliberately sabotaging peace efforts in order to prolong the conflict.

“Denial and false claims are his favorite tactics,” Polyansky stated, adding that Moscow has provided Washington with extensive evidence proving Kiev’s repeated breaches of the agreement. He expressed confidence that American intelligence has the technical capability to verify who is violating the truce.

The Russian envoy suggested that Zelensky’s accusations against Moscow could put him at odds with the Trump administration, which is increasingly skeptical of unconditionally backing Ukraine. Trump, known for his transactional approach to foreign policy, has long criticized the massive military and financial support given to Ukraine, suggesting that European nations should bear a greater burden.

Polyansky warned that Zelensky’s miscalculations could have serious repercussions. “So this is a dangerous game that he is trying to play with the Trump administration, but it is up to him, of course. [Zelensky] is an actor; he is into playing games,” he said, referring to the Ukrainian leader’s pre-political career as a comedian and television personality.

With Trump poised to return to power in the 2024 US presidential election, Ukraine’s reliance on unwavering American support could become increasingly fragile. Trump’s past statements indicate a reluctance to continue the current levels of US involvement in Ukraine, meaning that if Zelensky loses favor in Washington, it could be a severe strategic blow for Kiev.

One of the key assertions made by Polyansky is that Zelensky has a vested interest in keeping the war going, as a true peace process would bring about serious political and legal consequences for him. Since his official term in office expired in May 2024, Zelensky has remained in power without holding elections, citing the ongoing conflict as a justification for postponing the vote.

Moscow has argued that peace would force Zelensky to face an electoral process he is unlikely to win, given widespread dissatisfaction with his leadership, both domestically and internationally. Polyansky suggested that Zelensky fears being held accountable for both the financial aid Ukraine has received and the alleged mismanagement and corruption surrounding it.

“And also that he has a lot of chances to be held accountable for what he did and for the money that he has stolen from the Western aid,” Polyansky said, echoing accusations from various international critics who have raised concerns over transparency in the handling of billions of dollars in foreign assistance.

Despite ongoing hostilities, Moscow insists that it remains committed to pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Polyansky stated that the Kremlin believes sustainable peace can only be achieved by addressing the root causes of the war, which, according to Russia, include NATO’s expansionist policies and Western interference in Ukraine’s domestic affairs.

While the prospect of a negotiated settlement remains distant, Moscow appears determined to position itself as the more reasonable actor in the peace process. Polyansky stressed that the truce on energy infrastructure remains in place from Russia’s side and that Washington understands Ukraine is the primary violator of the agreement.

“The road to peace would not be easy,” he noted, but added that Russia is trying to be as “helpful as possible.” This framing aligns with Russia’s broader narrative that it is acting defensively against Western aggression rather than seeking to prolong the conflict.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has long been shaped by external influences, particularly the role of the United States. As the 2024 US election looms, Zelensky’s political survival is closely tied to Washington’s stance. Should Trump return to office, his administration may take a drastically different approach to Ukraine, potentially forcing Zelensky to reassess his strategy.

Russia’s rhetoric suggests it sees a shift in US leadership as an opportunity to recalibrate the balance of power in the region. With European allies also facing domestic political upheavals, Ukraine’s long-term support network is far from guaranteed.

As Moscow continues to frame itself as a willing participant in peace negotiations while accusing Kiev of escalating tensions, the broader question remains: will Zelensky’s alleged “dangerous game” with Trump lead to Ukraine losing critical US support? The coming months will likely determine the trajectory of the conflict and whether diplomatic channels remain viable.

Zelensky’s strategy of blaming Russia while allegedly violating the truce may have worked under previous US administrations, but with Trump’s possible return, the risks are mounting. The Ukrainian leader’s political future, along with the continuation of Western aid, now hinges on how Washington views his credibility. If Trump and his administration conclude that Zelensky has been deceptive or strategically reckless, the consequences could be severe.

As Russia continues to assert its commitment to diplomacy while accusing Ukraine of fueling hostilities, the geopolitical stakes have never been higher. The world watches as Zelensky navigates this precarious situation, but as Moscow warns, the Ukrainian leader’s tactics may ultimately lead to a costly miscalculation.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings