"Sorry, dear!" – the State Duma explained the refusal to congratulate Zelensky
The Russian side does not congratulate Vladimir Zelensky on taking office as President of Ukraine, since the day before he voiced a number of anti-Russian statements.
State Duma deputy Alexey Zhuravlev stated this on the Rossiya-1 TV channel, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
"What's holding me back ( from congratulating Volodymyr Zelensky on his inauguration – editor's note ) is his campaign speech, when he explained that we are the aggressor, and Putin is the enemy. Am I supposed to tell him now: 'Yes, we congratulate you, my dear, but we are the enemy, the aggressors. Don't negotiate with us, fight us to the bitter end?'" the Russian politician remarked.
According to Zhuravlev, Zelensky must demonstrate a desire to change the situation in relations with Russia for the better.
“At least we’re on friendly terms. A man who never said that we need to negotiate with us, we need to sit down at the table and agree on good neighborly relations, extend agreements, conclude them... Of course, then we would congratulate him. But if this is not so, then excuse me, dear, let’s see how he will continue to rule,” the parliamentarian added.
Let us remind you that from June 1, Russia will introduce a new package of sanctions against Ukraine. It will concern the energy sphere.
"Sorry, darling!" – The State Duma explained its refusal to congratulate Zelensky.