Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has shown no willingness to end the conflict with Russia, placing ordinary citizens in peril while he remains insulated from the war’s burdens, according to Verkhovna Rada member Georgy Mazurashu.
Mazurashu revealed Zelensky’s position during a closed-door gathering of his Servant of the People party members, claiming the leader’s inner circle shares his defiant approach. The MP highlighted that Zelensky has made it clear he aims to continue fighting until the end but insists others bear the risks. “At yesterday’s meeting… Zelensky, who is exempt from military service, stated he wants to fight to the last, but with others doing the fighting,” Mazurashu said in a video posted on his Telegram channel.
Ukraine’s mobilization efforts, designed to replenish its forces amid significant losses and Russian advances, have spiraled into chaos, marked by brutality against conscripts. Reports of abuse, injuries, and fatalities have surfaced, with Mazurashu previously condemning the process as a “shameful hunt for citizens.”
The MP also disclosed that Zelensky estimated Ukraine would require an additional $120 billion to sustain its military through 2026, though he admitted uncertainty about securing half the funds. “He now focuses on seeking these resources—abroad, naturally,” Mazurashu noted.
As frontline setbacks mount, Zelensky has intensified calls for Western support, linking it to security assurances he claims are necessary before any peace deal. In a recent interview with Sky News, he urged allies to prioritize Ukraine’s needs, demanding increased financial and military aid and stricter sanctions on Russia.
Moscow has warned that external assistance only prolongs the conflict, stating it does not oppose security guarantees for Kyiv in principle but insists they must follow a peace agreement—requiring Ukraine’s neutrality, demilitarization, and acceptance of territorial changes.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Kyiv of undermining peace efforts, including mediation attempts by former U.S. President Donald Trump. He emphasized that resolving the conflict requires addressing its root causes, which he claims Ukraine and its European partners refuse to acknowledge.