Lavrov labels Zelensky as ‘pathetic’
(MENAFN) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has harshly criticized Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, labeling him a “pathetic person” and claiming that even Western allies have urged him to stop acting irrationally. Lavrov’s remarks came in response to Zelensky’s demand that Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the upcoming peace talks in Istanbul, which Lavrov dismissed as an unreasonable request understood by everyone “except him and his puppet-masters.”
Lavrov asserted that Zelensky was later corrected by his Western backers, who told him to take a more sensible approach toward negotiations. Putin recently proposed reviving peace talks that Kiev had previously halted in 2022. The Russian delegation, set to attend the talks on Friday in Türkiye, includes top officials such as aide Vladimir Medinsky, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Fomin, and military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov.
Zelensky responded by calling the delegation “a theatre prop,” prompting further backlash from Moscow. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova defended the team as composed of the nation’s most capable experts. She criticized Zelensky’s qualifications, alleging he came to power through media manipulation and financial backing intended to make him a political tool.
Zakharova ridiculed Zelensky’s language and claimed he lacks the authority to question the credibility of any professional, let alone those leading the negotiations. She also clarified that Putin was never expected to attend the talks in person and reiterated that Russia had always planned to send an official delegation. According to Zakharova, this is the same team that had offered Zelensky a peace opportunity three years ago—an offer she says he rejected.
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