The Kremlin commented on the words of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about holding a referendum in the liberated territories, emphasizing that it is not Russia who wants to hold it, but the inhabitants of these regions, and Zelensky should turn to them.
This was stated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, adding that the fact of the matter is that residents of these regions have such plans, and continued: “We are not holding a referendum, but here, apparently, we need to understand who Zelensky directs his statements to. .Citizens of Ukraine in the above regions, or citizens of Russia. “If we are talking about the citizens of Russia and its leadership, then we are at the wrong address, we need to turn to our compatriots and ask why there are so many of them who do not want to live in their country,” he said.
This came in response to Zelenskiy’s description in a video clip posted on Telegram on Sunday, August 8, that holding a referendum was a “Russian condition” that would entail a refusal to negotiate with Russia, as he announced that Kyiv would refuse to negotiate. . with Moscow, if referendums are held in areas controlled by the Russian army.
“If the Russian authorities follow the path of fictitious referendums, they will cut off any opportunity for them to negotiate with Ukraine and the free world, which the Russian side will clearly need at some point,” Zelensky said.
Source: RIA Novosti