Russia's FSB chief unexpectedly admits talks with Zelenskyy are unavoidable
Photo: Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Russian FSB (Getty Images)
FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov has made a statement regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
During a conversation with journalists, Bortnikov called Zelenskyy a "terrorist," but at the same time admitted that he currently sees no other representatives of the Ukrainian authorities with whom Russia could conduct negotiations.
"Zelenskyy is a terrorist, but there is no one else there to talk to at the moment, at this stage. He makes the relevant decisions, and we take that into account," the FSB chief said.
Thus, Bortnikov effectively acknowledged that the President of Ukraine remains the key figure in decision-making on the Ukrainian side.
Recently, Russian officials have repeatedly made contradictory statements about possible negotiations with Ukraine. On the one hand, the Kremlin declares readiness for dialogue, while on the other, it regularly states that there are no necessary conditions for it.
In particular, Russian leader Vladimir Putin recently said that he currently sees no prerequisites for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. At the same time, he once again voiced a series of propaganda claims about the situation on the front line, Western military aid to Kyiv, and alleged Ukrainian strikes on civilian infrastructure.
