Ukraine President Volodimir Zelenski has accused US special envoy Steve Witcof of “spreading Russian stories” after it appeared to have suggested that the Peace Agreement between Russia and Ukraine depended on the status of five Ukrainian regions.
After holding five hours Meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin On Friday, Vitcof told Fox News that a deal to end the war was “for these so -called five territories”.
“I think G -n Vitcof has taken the strategy of the Russian side,” Zelenski told a press conference in Kiev on Thursday.
“I think it's really dangerous because he deliberately or unconsciously spreads Russian stories.”
Vitcof appears to be about the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Proceeds and Herson in Eastern Ukraine, many of which are under Russian military occupation after Vladimir Putin began a full -scale invasion in 2022 in order to take control of the whole country.
It is believed that the fifth region is Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014 in a move that is not internationally recognized.
“The territories are ours, they belong to our people and not only us, but also to the future Ukrainian people … So I do not understand what he is talking about,” Zelenski said.
In his interview with Fox News, Vitcof said: “This peaceful deal is for these so -called five territories. But there is much more than it … I think we can be on the verge of something that would be very important to the world as a whole.”
“On top of that, I believe that there is an opportunity to redesign the relations of Russian United States through some very compelling trade opportunities, which I think also give real stability to the region,” he added.
The US and Russia have conversations aimed at restoring diplomatic relations.
Zelenski's intervention is not the first time he criticized Vitcof.
In March, he said, “He does not look like a military man. He does not look like a general and has no such experience. As far as I know, he is very good at selling and buying real estate. And it's a little different.”
The Ukrainian leader's comments came after the best American, Ukrainian and European diplomats met in Paris to discuss the war – a group including Vitcof and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has renewed his own criticism of Zelenski on Thursday. It seems to be back in more comments that blame the Ukrainian leader Starting the war But he said he was not a big fan.
“I don't wear Zelenski responsible, but I'm not very excited about the fact that this war started,” Trump said.
“I don't blame him, but what I say is that I wouldn't say that he has done the biggest job, okay? I'm not a big fan.”
Zelenski also told reporters that there is “information” China supplies weapons to Russia.
“We finally received information that China was supplying a weapon to the Russian Federation,” he said.
“We believe that Chinese representatives are involved in the production of some weapons in the Russian territory,” he added.
China has not yet reacted, but before that has introduced itself as a neutral party in the war.
Beijing responded to the claim last week from Zelenski that Chinese citizens fought for Russia By advising the “respective countries to understand the role of China properly and soberly and not to make irresponsible remarks.”