Assistant to the Russian President: The U.S. and Its Allies Are Striving to Block Russia's Strategic Raw Material Exports

¬ Kremlin: Zelenskyy Should Take Responsibility and Make Decisions to Achieve a Peace Agreement

Sputnik News, Moscow, March 31 — Nikolai Patrushev, Assistant to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Russian Maritime Commission, stated at a Maritime Commission meeting that the United States and its allies are making every effort to block maritime transport of hydrocarbons and other strategic export raw materials from Russia, aiming to inflict maximum damage on the Russian economy.

Patrushev said that the U.S. and its allies are actively obstructing the transportation of Russian hydrocarbons and other strategic export raw materials in key waters vital to Russia, including the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Caspian Sea.

He added that the West has intensified resistance against vessels associated with Russia in order to hinder the international maritime transport of Russian goods.

Patrushev pointed out that the EU even invented the non-existent concept of a "shadow fleet" under international maritime law, using this pretext to conduct piracy-like actions at sea.

"To ensure safe navigation in some of the most dangerous areas of the world’s oceans, naval fleets have had to directly escort ships flying the Russian flag," he said.

According to him, the global military-political situation remained complex overall in 2025. He noted that the international legal system is deteriorating, and security threats facing Russia—particularly maritime threats—are increasing.

Sputnik News, Moscow, March 31 — Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary to the President of Russia, stated that Zelenskyy should take responsibility and make decisions enabling Russia and Ukraine to reach a peace agreement—not merely a ceasefire.

Zelenskyy said on March 30 that Ukraine was willing to observe a ceasefire during this year’s Easter. When asked by journalists how the Kremlin viewed the possibility of an Easter ceasefire, Peskov responded:

"Clearly, the Kyiv regime desperately needs a ceasefire, as the frontline situation shows that Russian forces are advancing rapidly in certain areas and more slowly in others—but advancing across the entire front line."

Peskov added: "We see no clear intention from Zelenskyy’s statements indicating a willingness to implement a ceasefire during Easter."

"We reiterate that Zelenskyy must take responsibility and make the necessary decision to achieve peace, not just a temporary ceasefire."

He emphasized that the Russian military’s advances on the front lines indicate that Kyiv will eventually have to pay a higher price for achieving peace.

Dmitry Peskov also stated that if EU member states actually provide Ukrainian airspace for attacks on Russia, Moscow will be forced to take corresponding measures.

Responding to a journalist’s question about the Kremlin’s view on the possibility of EU countries granting Ukrainian access to their airspace for drone strikes against Russia, Peskov said: "Of course, we believe that if airspace is provided to Ukraine for hostile terrorist activities targeting the Russian Federation, this would compel us to draw appropriate conclusions and take appropriate countermeasures."

Zelenskyy had previously reportedly accepted proposals for holiday pauses and ceasefires, only to later break the agreements. Last year, President Putin announced an Easter ceasefire lasting from April 19 at 6 p.m. to April 21 at midnight. After the ceasefire ended, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Ukraine violated the ceasefire agreement 4,900 times.

In 2026, the Roman Catholic Church will celebrate Easter on April 5, while the Orthodox Easter will fall on April 12.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861175326180360/

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