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Zakharova calls Ukraine elections Kyiv’s constitutional responsibility
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said holding elections in Ukraine was not Moscow’s demand but Kyiv’s constitutional responsibility. Zakharova also assessed Western support for Ukraine, European Union sanctions, relations with Moldova, the Black Sea and the crisis in Yemen.
Maria Zakharova rejected the portrayal of holding elections in Ukraine as a political demand from Moscow. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said it was a constitutional responsibility of the Ukrainian state.
Zakharova was responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s remarks that Moscow wanted to change the country’s leadership and could use various means to achieve that goal, including force. Pointing to the election provisions of the Ukrainian Constitution, Zakharova said holding elections on the country’s territory was the state’s responsibility.
Zakharova said officials elected by the public were responsible for ensuring that laws and the Constitution were implemented. She also criticized the portrayal of the elections as an effort by Moscow to secure Zelenskyy’s re-election.
Criticism of the West’s Ukraine policy
Zakharova criticized the Baltic countries for returning Ukrainians of conscription age to Ukraine and alleged that those countries supported Zelenskyy’s war policy.
Zakharova also commented on statements that the United Kingdom would continue supporting Ukraine, accusing London of supplying weapons to Kyiv. She said Russia claimed that these weapons were being used against civilians.
Debate over a new EU sanctions package
Criticizing the European Union’s sanctions policy toward Russia, Zakharova argued that Brussels was struggling to reach agreement on new restrictions. She said EU countries held differing views on the economic consequences of sectoral sanctions.
Zakharova claimed that the new measures adopted this week were limited to expanding existing blacklists rather than imposing comprehensive sanctions. She said a 23rd and a 24th package could also be considered after the 22nd sanctions package on which the EU is working.
Zakharova said she saw no prospect under the current conditions for energy cooperation between Russia and the European Union to resume. She added that Russia would not impose entry restrictions on Europeans arriving in the country for peaceful purposes.
Diplomatic tensions with Moldova
Zakharova described as unacceptable the threats to expel Russia’s Ambassador to Moldova Oleg Ozerov and his being summoned to the Moldovan Foreign Ministry.
Zakharova also criticized a video application by the Moldovan authorities showing unmanned aerial vehicles on display, arguing that it indicated there was no genuine charge against Ozerov. She accused the government led by Moldovan President Maia Sandu of pursuing an anti-Russian policy.
Protests in France and support for Ukraine
Addressing student protests in France, Zakharova alleged that the French government was allocating resources to support Ukraine instead of education and social services.
Zakharova said Paris had spent billions of euros on military activities in Ukraine and added that French students had meanwhile been exposed to tear gas during the protests.
The Black Sea and Yemen
Speaking about the situation in the Black Sea, Zakharova said transport vessels carrying personnel, weapons, ammunition or military vehicles for Ukraine’s military needs could be regarded as potential military targets by the Russian Armed Forces.
On Yemen, she called for an immediate ceasefire and the launch of a comprehensive negotiation process. Zakharova said Moscow would continue its diplomatic efforts with regional partners and supported the initiatives of United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg.
Zakharova said the road map agreed at the end of December 2023 through Oman’s mediation could provide a basis for achieving stability in Yemen. She said further escalation in Yemen and the involvement of new parties in the conflict posed a threat to regional security.
Source: Anadolu Ajansı
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