The Russian Foreign Ministry has accused Kiev of deliberately launching a raid to coincide with the organization’s visit A delegation from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has arrived at a site in Moscow Region that earlier on Tuesday was attacked by […]
The record assault unfolded ahead of US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia, where Washington will pressure for peace Moscow faced its largest-ever wave of Ukrainian kamikaze drones on Tuesday night, with Russian air defenses successfully intercepting hundreds of the incoming UAVs, according to officials. Later in […]
A total of 337 UAVs were shot down above Russian territory overnight, according to the Defense Ministry Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on Russia to specifically coincide with a visit to Moscow by the head of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe […]
The magazine’s source cited the Ukrainian leader’s 2023 demand that Kiev be admitted into NATO Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has the mind of a child, several anonymous former and current officials from the country have told Der Spiegel. In an article on Monday, the magazine […]
The magazine’s source cited the Ukrainian leader’s 2023 demand that Kiev be admitted into NATO
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has the mind of a child, several anonymous former and current officials from the country have told Der Spiegel.
In an article on Monday, the magazine recounted how the politician came to power on a populist platform back in 2019, dishing out simplistic solutions to the many problems facing Ukraine, including the conflict in Donbass. The outlet quoted a former staff member as saying that Zelensky “didn’t just speak like a populist, that’s how he actually thought,” with an unnamed senior official in Kiev adding that “still today, he has the worldview of a schoolchild.”
According to the publication, after Zelensky received tumultuous applause in the US Congress in December 2022, “his confidence grew” to such an extent that he felt he could berate his Western backers for what he saw as a lack of enthusiasm. Der Spiegel cited his confrontational message ahead of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania in July 2023, when he found out that the member states would not be extending an invitation to his country.
“It’s unprecedented and absurd when [a] time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine’s membership,” Zelensky charged in a post on X at the time.
His outburst did not sit well with Washington, with former US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan saying that “I think the American people do deserve a degree of gratitude” from the leadership in Kiev.
“The outburst was consistent with his demeanor: emotional, maximalist, often reproachful in tone,” Der Spiegel claimed. It further quoted an unnamed “person who used to work closely with” Zelensky as confirming that the Ukrainian leader “is like a child.”
The source explained that Zelensky “thinks: If you only wish for something hard enough and really believe in it, you’ll get it.”
The media outlet suggested that Zelensky’s “aim is to prove himself as a protagonist with his actions, without considering the consequences.”
However, “for Zelenskyy and Ukraine, there is no role left to play,” with Western support apparently eroding and Russian forces advancing in Donbass.
“He looks powerless and vulnerable,” Der Spiegel concluded.
In the wake of the acrimonious exchange between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance at the White House on Friday, NBC News quoted anonymous sources as saying that no one had “expected [Zelensky] to walk in there and act like such a petulant child,” characterizing the Ukrainian leader’s demeanor as “entitled” and “needlessly provocative.”
The Ukrainian leader has insisted that ousting him would be a formidable challenge Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has reiterated his offer to NATO to resign in exchange for the opportunity to join the US-led military bloc. Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, the Ukrainian leader […]
The Ukrainian leader has insisted that ousting him would be a formidable challenge
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has reiterated his offer to NATO to resign in exchange for the opportunity to join the US-led military bloc. Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, the Ukrainian leader insisted however, that removing him from power would prove difficult.
His comments came after US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said that Zelensky’s personal ambitions appear to be detrimental to Washington’s goal of ending the Ukraine conflict. Waltz voiced his concern following Zelensky’s disastrous visit to the White House last Friday, which ended abruptly after a public disagreement with President Donald Trump.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Lindsey Graham — the latter a staunch supporter of Ukraine — have also suggested Zelensky should resign.
Zelensky decamped to London following the White House debacle, where, following a meeting with European heads of state, he emphasized that he would only relinquish power if he believed he had accomplished his historic mission.
”To change me, it will not be easy because it is not enough to simply hold elections. You would need to prevent me from participating. And it will be a bit more difficult,” he remarked to the British news outlet after meeting foreign leaders in London.
I have said that I am exchanging [claim to power] for NATO membership, then it means I have fulfilled my mission.
The Ukrainian leader labeled calls by foreign officials for his resignation as “unconstructive and undemocratic.” He referred to Graham as a “very good guy,” adding that the senator’s opinion about who should lead Ukraine would hold weight only if he became a citizen, which Zelensky offered to arrange.
Although Zelensky’s presidential term expired last year, he has refused to cede power to the parliament speaker as mandated by the Ukrainian constitution, citing martial law. Trump previously described him as a “dictator without election,” claiming that contrary to Kiev’s assertions, Zelensky’s approval rating remains in single digits.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that in a hypothetical presidential election, Zelensky would lose to retired General Valery Zaluzhny, adding that the current situation benefits Moscow.
“Our interest lies in keeping him in power, allowing him to further corrupt the regime we are in conflict with,” Putin stated in an interview before the confrontation at the White House. He added that Ukraine would benefit from taking “vigorous action in the opposite direction.”
Elena Blinovskaya was arrested in 2023 while attempting to flee the country Russian lifestyle coach and blogger Elena Blinovskaya has been sentenced to five years behind bars for large-scale tax evasion and money laundering, according to reports. The Savelovsky District Court in Moscow delivered the […]
Elena Blinovskaya was arrested in 2023 while attempting to flee the country
Russian lifestyle coach and blogger Elena Blinovskaya has been sentenced to five years behind bars for large-scale tax evasion and money laundering, according to reports.
The Savelovsky District Court in Moscow delivered the verdict on Monday, also imposing a fine of 1 million rubles ($11,000) and a four-year ban on engaging in commercial activities. Prosecutors had requested a six-year term, while Blinovskaya had sought a deferral, citing her young children.
According to court filings, the blogger falsified business records and failed to pay more than 900 million rubles (over $11 million) in income tax between 2019 and 2021, while laundering around $8 million. By late February 2025, Blinovskaya’s tax debt, including penalties and fines, had risen to $16 million.
In April 2023, the blogger was arrested at the border while trying to cross into Belarus by car. Police said she had also booked a flight from Moscow to Uzbekistan.
Blinovskaya pleaded guilty to tax evasion and money laundering, and was declared bankrupt by a court in November. Her husband, Aleksey Blinovsky, who was also implicated in the case, signed a contract with the Russian military last year. The pair have four underage children.
A former beauty pageant winner, Blinovskaya made a fortune by giving motivational speeches and hosting public events, where she talked about financial success and gave relationship advice. She amassed more than 5 million followers on Instagram, and also offered online seminars, dubbed ‘marathons’, on topics such as psychology, astrology, motherhood, and sex. She described her work as helping people “transition to the fourth dimension.”
According to a 2021 report in Forbes magazine, around 150,000 people had participated in Blinovskaya’s events at that point. In 2022, she launched her own show on the TV3 channel.
Initially placed under house arrest, Blinovskaya was later transferred to a pre-trial detention center in early 2024. Authorities changed her detention conditions after she hosted a New Year’s Eve party attended by a key witness in her case.
Blinovskaya remained silent as the judge read the decision, standing for the 15-minute announcement, according to media reports.
A number of online Russian celebrities have recently been charged with money laundering and tax evasion, including fitness guru Valeria Chekalina and her husband, as well as prominent blogger Aleksandra Mitroshina.
Kiev has repatriated 33 individuals from occupied parts of Kursk Region, according to Moscow’s human rights commissioner Kiev has handed over 33 civilians from Ukrainian-controlled parts of Russia’s Kursk Region, Moscow’s human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova has announced. Most of the repatriated citizens are elderly, […]
Kiev has repatriated 33 individuals from occupied parts of Kursk Region, according to Moscow’s human rights commissioner
Kiev has handed over 33 civilians from Ukrainian-controlled parts of Russia’s Kursk Region, Moscow’s human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova has announced. Most of the repatriated citizens are elderly, the official noted.
According to Moskalkova, who welcomed the individuals as they crossed into Belarus, the group includes four children between 1 and 10 years of age. Nine of the civilians need urgent medical assistance, including several wheelchair-bound individuals, the official revealed.
On Tuesday, the repatriated civilians are expected to arrive in the city of Kursk, where they will be reunited with their families and receive all the necessary medical aid.
The Russian human rights commissioner stated that the civilians had been handed over after discussions with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmitry Lubinets, and with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Moskalkova estimated that the number of Kursk Region residents who have been repatriated from Ukraine to date has reached 79.
Last October, the Russian official reported that she had received more than a thousand inquiries and requests to search for missing civilians in the Russian border region.
Ukraine launched its surprise offensive in early August 2024, capturing several towns and villages there. Explaining the rationale behind the move, officials in Kiev have said that they had hoped to divert Russian forces away from other parts of the front line. However, the gamble has apparently not paid off, as Moscow’s troops have steadily been advancing across Donbass in recent months regardless.
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has also repeatedly stated that he plans to use the Kiev-controlled parts of Kursk Region as a bargaining chip in any potential negotiations with Moscow. The Kremlin has, however, rejected any possibility of trading territories.
While the Ukrainian military continues to hold on to several areas close to the border, Russian forces are progressively squeezing them out of Kursk Region.
The national intelligence chief has suggested that many of Zelensky’s actions in recent years go against the ideas of freedom and democracy Ukraine and many of its European backers may not be aligned with the US values of freedom, peace, and democracy shared by President […]
The national intelligence chief has suggested that many of Zelensky’s actions in recent years go against the ideas of freedom and democracy
Ukraine and many of its European backers may not be aligned with the US values of freedom, peace, and democracy shared by President Donald Trump, according to Washington’s director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard.
In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Gabbard was asked about last week’s heated exchange at the White House involving Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and Trump and his vice president, J.D. Vance. The tense meeting ended with Zelensky abruptly leaving the White House after being accused by Trump of ingratitude, “gambling with World War III,” and refusing to seek peace with Russia.
The incident has sparked a backlash from Trump’s critics, including several EU leaders, who have accused him of “bullying” Zelensky. However, according to Gabbard, anyone who has criticized Trump over his interaction with the Ukrainian leader is merely showing that they are “not committed to peace.”
“Many of these European countries, and Zelensky himself, who claim to be standing and fighting for the cause of freedom and democracy” are actually acting contrary to these values, Gabbard stated.
“When we actually look at what’s happening in reality in these countries, as well as with Zelensky’s government in Ukraine, it is the exact opposite,” she added. Gabbard pointed to the lack of elections in Ukraine, Kiev’s criminalization of opposition parties, the shutting down of Orthodox churches, and the complete government control over media outlets.
“It begs the question. It’s clear they’re standing against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin. But what are they actually really fighting for, and are they aligned with the values that they claim to hold in agreement with [the US], which are the values of freedom, peace and true security,” Gabbard said.
The DNI chief further criticized Washington’s EU partners, recalling Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference, where he accused European countries of implementing policies that “undermine democracy” and show that they “don’t actually believe in the voices of the people.”
“We’re seeing this in the United Kingdom, we’re seeing this in Germany, we saw it with the tossing out of the elections in Romania,” Gabbard said, suggesting that this shows a “huge divergence” between US values and those of the European nations that have backed Zelensky.
Russia has also suggested that last week’s clash between Zelensky and Trump once again proved that Kiev is not genuinely interested in peace. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stressed that the Ukrainian leader’s behavior in the Oval Office “demonstrated how difficult it will be to get on the path of a settlement around Ukraine.”
Here’s why Russia and the US can’t force the Ukrainian leader to resign – at least for now For a long time, discussions about elections in Ukraine were hypothetical, a distant prospect. But recent developments – including Russian-American negotiations and the growing friction between Washington […]
Here’s why Russia and the US can’t force the Ukrainian leader to resign – at least for now
For a long time, discussions about elections in Ukraine were hypothetical, a distant prospect. But recent developments – including Russian-American negotiations and the growing friction between Washington and Kiev – have thrown the question of Vladimir Zelensky’s future into sharp focus.
The emerging détente between Russia and the US has activated what one might call a “Chekhov’s gun” scenario – an inevitability set in motion long ago. Both Moscow and Washington now seem to agree that Zelensky, whose legitimacy is increasingly in question, must face elections before making any binding agreements. Public statements from Russian and American officials indicate that if Zelensky were to exit following an election, both parties would welcome the outcome.
However, Zelensky’s departure is far from certain. For him to resign, at least two of three critical conditions must be met:
The key players in the Ukraine conflict – Russia, the US, and the European Union – must want him to go.
The Ukrainian political elite must push for his resignation.
Zelensky himself must see a reason to step down.
At present, none of these conditions are fully in place.
Where Russia, the US, and the EU stand
The US and Russia have seemingly converged on a three-stage process: ceasefire, elections, peace talks. Reports indicate that an informal consensus is emerging in both capitals. However, neither side has explicitly acknowledged a unified stance, likely because the negotiations are still in their early stages and have yet to formally address Ukraine.
The European Union remains the wildcard. Brussels is adamant that Ukraine must be supported, regardless of Washington’s position. This provides Zelensky with an alternative power base, meaning that even if Russia and the US agree on his departure, he could still count on support from Europe to justify staying in power.
Does Ukraine want Zelensky to stay?
Public sentiment within Ukraine is difficult to gauge accurately. While polls indicate that Zelensky’s approval ratings have been steadily declining since 2023, recent attacks from US President Donald Trump and other Western critics have paradoxically caused his numbers to rebound. Whether this surge in support is genuine or a manufactured crisis response from his administration remains unclear. Polling during wartime is notoriously unreliable, making it difficult to assess whether the Ukrainian people truly want Zelensky to step down.
Ukrainian political opposition also remains fragmented. Many figures within the ruling elite bear grudges against Zelensky, but their ability to effectively challenge his authority is questionable. The Ukrainian parliament recently embarrassed Zelensky by failing to pass a resolution reaffirming his legitimacy at the first attempt – an incident that took place in front of EU representatives. But this is hardly a coordinated coup attempt; rather, it underscores the lack of unity among his detractors.
A unifying figure for the opposition remains elusive. Former Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny, once seen as a potential rival, has so far refrained from making any overt political moves. Without him, Zelensky’s adversaries appear more interested in minor disruptions than in mounting a serious challenge.
Despite his declining popularity, Zelensky is not without influential allies. His inner circle, particularly Andrey Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration, has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Yermak, often seen as the power behind the throne, has built his career on his proximity to Zelensky. Any shift in leadership could threaten his influence and that of his associates, making it likely that they will fight to keep Zelensky in office.
Will Zelensky leave willingly?
The simplest answer is no. Zelensky appears convinced that his leadership is indispensable to Ukraine’s survival. He has consistently rejected any suggestion of early elections or stepping down voluntarily. His statements on the matter are often deflective, saying he would consider resignation only if Ukraine was admitted to NATO – an impossible condition. This suggests he will cling to power for as long as possible.
The coming crisis: What could change?
While Zelensky currently holds his ground, shifting battlefield dynamics could force his hand. Ukraine’s military situation continues to deteriorate, its resources are stretched thin, and Western support is no longer guaranteed. The new US administration is unlikely to display the same patience as the Biden White House. If Ukraine fails to turn the tide, Zelensky may face a stark choice: hold elections before the situation becomes catastrophic or risk being overthrown in a palace coup orchestrated by Ukrainian elites desperate to preserve their own futures.
The latter scenario would not be unusual in history. Leaders who refuse to acknowledge military defeat often find themselves ousted by their own ranks. If Zelensky continues to insist on leading Ukraine down an unwinnable path, he may well meet the same fate.
This article was first published by the online newspaper Gazeta.ru and was translated and edited by the RT team
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s proposal would leave his country vulnerable to US encroachment, according to a senior Russian diplomat Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has derided the idea that Canada could send troops to Ukraine. In a social media post on Monday, she […]
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s proposal would leave his country vulnerable to US encroachment, according to a senior Russian diplomat
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has derided the idea that Canada could send troops to Ukraine. In a social media post on Monday, she questioned who would safeguard Canadian territory from potential US annexation in such a scenario.
The senior diplomat’s remark followed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement on Sunday that his government is open to contributing forces to a possible joint Western mission in Ukraine. British Prime Minister Kier Starmer announced the formation of a “coalition of the willing” once a possible ceasefire with Russia is reached following a meeting of Kiev’s European backers in London.
“Who would defend Canadian land if the US expands north? Probably Ukrainians, who are dodging the draft in Canada,” Zakharova quipped, alluding to the widespread evasion of mandatory military service among Ukrainian citizens.
US President Donald Trump has suggested that Canada should merge with the US, humorously labeling Trudeau as “governor.” Comments by Trump and members of his administration questioning Canada’s statehood have ignited anti-American sentiment in a nation historically aligned with its southern neighbor.
Canada boasts a sizable ethnic Ukrainian community, partly due to its role as a refuge for members of anti-Soviet forces fleeing to the West during World War II, including those who allied with or directly served Nazi Germany. In 2023 former SS soldier Yaroslav Hunka received a standing ovation in the Canadian Parliament before his past was highlighted by pro-Jewish organizations.
Trudeau has pledged to resign as leader of the Liberal Party after a general election expected this year. During a recent public debate, one of his potential successors, former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, advocated for an alliance with European nuclear powers against the US, claiming that Canada’s neighbor “is turning predator” under Trump. Freeland, a foreign policy hawk, is also the granddaughter of Michael Chomiak, the Ukrainian editor of a Nazi-controlled newspaper during World War II.
The man was killed after opening fire at officers who were trying to detain him, the agency has said Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has said its operatives have killed a member of an international terrorist organization who was preparing bomb attacks on a synagogue […]
The man was killed after opening fire at officers who were trying to detain him, the agency has said
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has said its operatives have killed a member of an international terrorist organization who was preparing bomb attacks on a synagogue and a Moscow subway station.
The suspect, a native of a Central Asian country, was killed after he opened fire at officers who were attempting to detain him in Moscow Region, the agency said in a statement on Monday.
“The terrorist intended to detonate improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in a religious Jewish institution in Moscow Region and at one of Moscow’s subway stations,” the statement read.
The man, who had allegedly sworn allegiance to an unnamed terrorist group, conducted reconnaissance of the venues of the planned bombings and acquired the components necessary to produce improvised explosive devices, the FSB said.
According to the agency, the suspect intended to travel to Afghanistan and join the ranks of the terrorist organization after carrying out the attacks in Russia.
Firearms as well as chemicals and components for assembling IEDs were discovered during a search of the man’s residence, the FSB added, noting that a criminal case has been opened.
Starting a business in the United States often involves navigating a labyrinth of legal, tax, and accounting requirements. One area that can catch new entrepreneurs off guard is US GAAP lease accounting. Whether renting office space, leasing company vehicles, or setting up specialized equipment, the […]
Starting a business in the United States often involves navigating a labyrinth of legal, tax, and accounting requirements. One area that can catch new entrepreneurs off guard is US GAAP lease accounting. Whether renting office space, leasing company vehicles, or setting up specialized equipment, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has specific rules that dictate […]
The Russian foreign minister has accused the Ukrainian leader of abandoning his earlier peace platform in favor of hardline nationalism Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelesnky, who is ethnically Jewish, is a traitor to his own people for siding with the far-right, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov […]
The Russian foreign minister has accused the Ukrainian leader of abandoning his earlier peace platform in favor of hardline nationalism
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelesnky, who is ethnically Jewish, is a traitor to his own people for siding with the far-right, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated, suggesting that Kiev’s Western backers pushed him in that direction.
Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin described the “denazification” of the neighboring country as one of the goals of Moscow’s military action.
Speaking to Russian media on Sunday, Lavrov expressed skepticism regarding plans voiced by several European NATO member states to deploy “peacekeepers” to Ukraine. The diplomat claimed that Western powers would in reality instead be “inciting the Kiev regime to [go to] war against us.” He cited the failed Minsk agreements, which were signed in 2014 and 2015, and were supposed to stop the fighting between Ukraine and the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. Germany and France were the guarantors of the accords but later publicly admitted that they had only signed them to buy Kiev time to build up its military.
According to Lavrov, Western powers had “first brought [former President Pyotr] Poroshenko to power on their bayonets, and then Zelensky.” The official suggested that the same Western enablers had been the driving force behind Zelensky’s abrupt abandonment of the pro-peace platform he campaigned on in 2019.
“Zelensky did a 180 from a person who came to power on slogans of peace… and in half a year turned into a pure Nazi, and as Russian President Vladimir Putin rightly said – a traitor to the Jewish people,” Lavrov said.
Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in June 2023, Putin stated that his friends in the Jewish community “say that Zelensky is not a Jew, he is a disgrace to the Jewish people.” He pointed to the fact that the current Ukrainian authorities openly celebrate Nazi figures, most notably Stepan Bandera, a Ukrainian nationalist who collaborated with the Third Reich during World War II.
Later that year, the Russian president alleged that “Western handlers placed at the head of modern Ukraine an ethnic Jew… [to cover up] the anti-human basis of the current Ukrainian state.”
“That makes the entire situation so highly disgusting,” Putin added, noting that the Nazis exterminated some 1.5 million Jews in Ukraine during World War II.
