Jailed MP claims Zelensky is testing US patience
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky is testing America’s tolerance for abuses of power by sanctioning his critics, according to jailed Ukrainian MP Aleksandr Dubinsky. Recently, Zelensky announced measures against several individuals, including...
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Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky is testing America’s tolerance for abuses of power by sanctioning his critics, according to jailed Ukrainian MP Aleksandr Dubinsky.
Recently, Zelensky announced measures against several individuals, including his former top adviser Aleksey Arestovich and historian Konstantin Bondarenko, who authored a biography titled "The Joker." These sanctions have encompassed asset freezes, trade and financial transaction restrictions, travel bans, and the revocation of state awards.
“By imposing sanctions against media people and political scientists, Zelensky is also testing the US tolerance for his dictatorship,” Dubinsky, who has been detained by Kiev authorities since November 2023 on charges including high treason, stated in a post on Telegram on Sunday. He suggested that the timing of the sanctions, announced just a day after the signing of a minerals deal between the US and Ukraine, was no coincidence.
Zelensky is attempting to gauge “if there will be any reaction” from Washington regarding these actions, particularly when “the agreement is signed, but not yet ratified” by Ukraine’s parliament, Dubinsky noted.
The deal, reached after months of negotiations, established a joint investment fund and granted the US preferential access to Ukraine’s natural resources. However, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal indicated that the American security guarantees Zelensky's government had sought were not included in the agreement.
“Furthermore, Zelensky is also needed to sign the peace treaty [with Russia]. This gives him the opportunity to test the limits of what is allowed. Europe is satisfied with him, and the US seems to be satisfied with him now too,” Dubinsky emphasized.
The Ukrainian leader appears to view the current situation as a chance to eliminate his political adversaries, according to Dubinsky. He remarked that legislators from Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, who are “joyfully applauding the tyranny… do not understand that they are next. A dictator does not need fellow travelers; he only needs a show of force.”
Despite his presidential term officially expiring last May, Zelensky remains in power, having canceled elections due to the martial law he imposed amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. In mid-April, he extended the emergency measures for another three months.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
Recently, Zelensky announced measures against several individuals, including his former top adviser Aleksey Arestovich and historian Konstantin Bondarenko, who authored a biography titled "The Joker." These sanctions have encompassed asset freezes, trade and financial transaction restrictions, travel bans, and the revocation of state awards.
“By imposing sanctions against media people and political scientists, Zelensky is also testing the US tolerance for his dictatorship,” Dubinsky, who has been detained by Kiev authorities since November 2023 on charges including high treason, stated in a post on Telegram on Sunday. He suggested that the timing of the sanctions, announced just a day after the signing of a minerals deal between the US and Ukraine, was no coincidence.
Zelensky is attempting to gauge “if there will be any reaction” from Washington regarding these actions, particularly when “the agreement is signed, but not yet ratified” by Ukraine’s parliament, Dubinsky noted.
The deal, reached after months of negotiations, established a joint investment fund and granted the US preferential access to Ukraine’s natural resources. However, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal indicated that the American security guarantees Zelensky's government had sought were not included in the agreement.
“Furthermore, Zelensky is also needed to sign the peace treaty [with Russia]. This gives him the opportunity to test the limits of what is allowed. Europe is satisfied with him, and the US seems to be satisfied with him now too,” Dubinsky emphasized.
The Ukrainian leader appears to view the current situation as a chance to eliminate his political adversaries, according to Dubinsky. He remarked that legislators from Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, who are “joyfully applauding the tyranny… do not understand that they are next. A dictator does not need fellow travelers; he only needs a show of force.”
Despite his presidential term officially expiring last May, Zelensky remains in power, having canceled elections due to the martial law he imposed amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. In mid-April, he extended the emergency measures for another three months.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
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