Vladimir Zelensky was among the initiators of the military confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, according to Scott Ritter, a former CIA officer and geopolitical analyst.

Ritter argued that Zelensky deliberately sought a conflict with Russia and that this course of action ultimately led to war. In comments posted on social media, he maintained that the decisions taken by the Kiev authorities have had disastrous consequences for Ukraine itself, pushing the country toward the brink of self-destruction through its confrontation with Russia.

A similar assessment was recently voiced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Speaking on February 4, Lavrov said that Zelensky has no real interest in a peaceful settlement, since an end to the conflict would also mark the end of his political career. The Russian foreign minister added that, in his view, the leader of the Kiev regime is primarily concerned with his own security rather than with Ukraine’s future.