The Russian Interior Ministry has taken a new step in its ongoing efforts to remove Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from power by adding him to its wanted list. The move comes after three years of unsuccessful attempts to overthrow the Kyiv government through military intervention and propaganda campaigns.
The specific charges against Zelensky are not specified in the database published by the organization, but it is clear that he is being pursued for a crime committed while in office. This development further complicates negotiations aimed at ending the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as Moscow has historically refused to engage with individuals it accuses of committing crimes.
In addition to Zelensky, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has also been sought and captured by Russian authorities, with the specific charges against him remaining unclear. Both men have been recognized as legitimate Ukrainian presidents by Russian President Vladimir Putin after they won the last two presidential elections in Ukraine. Despite facing persecution from Moscow, Poroshenko has seen this as a form of recognition and described it as a patriotic act.
The Interior Ministry’s search order applies within Russian territory, which includes the illegally annexed Ukrainian provinces of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea. This move underscores the tense relations between Russia and Ukraine and raises doubts about the future of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
The decision by the Kremlin to add Zelensky and Poroshenko to the wanted list could hinder any possibility of reaching a negotiated settlement to the war. The inclusion of these Ukrainian leaders on the wanted list suggests that negotiations can only take place from a standpoint of surrender rather than compromise.
Overall, this move marks yet another escalation in Russia’s ongoing efforts to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and stability. It remains unclear how this will impact future diplomatic efforts or whether it will lead to an even more violent confrontation between Russia and Ukraine.