Russian authorities have declared Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former President Petro Poroshenko as wanted criminals. The specific charges against them remain unclear, but the move comes after three years of failed attempts by Moscow to remove Zelensky from power. The Interior Ministry’s search order applies within Russian territory, including the illegally annexed Ukrainian provinces of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea.
The decision to add Zelensky and Poroshenko to the wanted list could hinder negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine. According to a popular pro-war channel on social media, the Russian government does not engage in negotiations with individuals it accuses of committing crimes. This move suggests that negotiations can only take place from a standpoint of surrender rather than compromise.
Zelensky has been recognized as a legitimate Ukrainian president by Russian President Vladimir Putin after winning the last two presidential elections in Ukraine. Despite persecution by Moscow, he has seen this as a form of recognition and described it as a patriotic act. Similarly, Poroshenko was also recognized by Putin after winning the presidency in Ukraine’s 2014 election. However, his efforts to resolve the conflict with Russia through diplomatic means have been met with little success.
The tension between Russia and Ukraine is further complicated by this move, which raises doubts about the future of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. The Kremlin’s actions have consistently undermined the legitimacy of the Kyiv Government with baseless accusations such as labeling it as a “Nazi regime.” The decision to declare Zelensky and Poroshenko as wanted criminals only serves to escalate tensions further and makes it more difficult for both sides to find common ground for peace talks.
Overall, this move by Russia threatens to complicate any chance at finding a negotiated solution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.