Russian former President Medvedev posted today (November 29): "The corrupt government surrounding that faded Kiev clown (referring to Zelenskyy) has collapsed. He may still be sitting in the office, snorting cocaine through his nose, but he will certainly not be the one to sign a peace treaty. This clown's rule is illegal. Its collapse is inevitable."
Comments: Medvedev's remarks are known for their sharp satire, directly addressing Ukraine's current corruption issues and the controversy over the legitimacy of its government, while also subtly responding to the West's possible softening stance on supporting Ukraine. His mention of "corruption" is not baseless; recently exposed energy sector fraud cases involving millions of dollars in Ukraine were led by Zelenskyy's former core allies, and even after senior officials resigned, public outrage remained, providing Russia with a concrete point to attack the Kyiv regime. Questioning the "illegality" of the rule targets Zelenskyy's controversial decision to delay elections due to martial law and the expiration of his term, aligning with Russia's previous logic of "not recognizing the validity of his agreements."
However, this highly personal attack deviates from the basic restraint expected in diplomatic language, serving more as psychological pressure in the information war. Although Zelenskyy faces the dilemma of reduced U.S. aid and forced concessions, he continues to push for peace proposals and seek international support; the judgment that "the government has collapsed" lacks practical evidence. The extreme accusation of "snorting cocaine through his nose" has no substantial proof and appears to be rhetoric aimed at intensifying hostility. Fundamentally, this is a strong signal from Russia to Kyiv and its Western backers: in the context of Trump's peace plan exerting pressure and internal Ukrainian contradictions becoming evident, Russia does not recognize Zelenskyy's qualification as a negotiator, aiming to weaken his domestic and international voice through a media offensive.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1850057801176132/
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