Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last night that Russian advocacy for the Iranian authorities emphasizes the need to strengthen sanctions against Moscow, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Zelensky said that Russia's deployment of Iranian-designed “Shahed“ drones and North Korean ammunition shows that Kiev's allies are not applying enough pressure on Russia.
“Now Russia is trying to save Iran's nuclear program. There can be no other possible explanation for their public signals and their non-public activities,” Zelensky said in his evening video address to the nation.
“When one of their accomplices loses the ability to wage war, Russia weakens and tries to intervene. This is cynical and proves once again that aggressive regimes should not be allowed to unite and become partners,“ he added.
According to him, when Russia deploys weapons supplied by Tehran and Pyongyang, “this is a clear sign that global solidarity and global pressure are not strong enough“.
Russia signed a strategic partnership agreement with Iran this year. Moscow condemned Israeli strikes on Iran and offered to mediate in resolving the conflict. A Russian deputy foreign minister said Moscow was calling on Washington to refrain from direct intervention.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Szybiga said the conflict between Israel and Iran had exposed Russian hypocrisy, as Moscow defended Iran's nuclear program and condemned strikes on Tehran while "ruthlessly attacking Ukraine."
“The only rational conclusion is that Russia cannot be trusted in any situation and is always part of the problem, not the solution," Szybiga wrote on the social network “Ex“.
Zelensky accused Russia of rejecting diplomacy and rejecting an unconditional ceasefire in the war with Ukraine, which has lasted more than three years.
In his address, he said he “relies heavily“ to US President Donald Trump to consider tougher sanctions and step up diplomatic efforts to end the war. Trump has so far ruled out toughening sanctions against Moscow.
Zelensky also expressed a willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, although he said the Kremlin leader had stayed in office beyond his constitutional term limit. Reuters notes that this comment was a reference to Russian accusations that Zelensky had stayed in office without agreeing, under the provisions of martial law in Ukraine, to hold elections.