Putin still views Zelenskyy as 'comedian from Kvartal' on subconscious level — journalist

Rostyslav Khotyn, editor of Radio Svoboda, shared this opinion on Espreso TV.

Immediately after the meeting in Alaska and Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Washington, it seemed that a summit between the Ukrainian president and Putin would take place in the near future. I think that after the attack on Ukraine carried out by the Russian army last night, this meeting is becoming less likely. After all, if you want such a summit and peace, you don't launch a massive attack on Ukraine with drones and missiles. If you want peace with Ukraine, you don't strike at an American company. If you want peace and negotiations with Zelenskyy, you don't let Lavrov make statements about the importance of preparing for such a summit, nor do you offer Moscow as a venue for negotiations, which is humiliating for the Ukrainian president.

"Therefore, I believe this summit holds great potential, if it actually takes place. A trilateral summit with Trump’s participation would be far more likely and would greatly play to Putin’s vanity. Since I think that, to this day, he subconsciously sees Zelenskyy as a 'comedian from Kvartal,' even though he is Ukraine’s wartime leader," Khotyn explained.

The journalist emphasized that Putin's actions clearly show that he definitely does not want to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and make peace with Ukraine.

“In addition, Lavrov once again spoke about Zelenskyy's 'illegitimacy,' although they are well aware that Ukrainian law does not allow elections to be held. That is, Putin should not have done many things if he wants peace as much as he says. He definitely does not want negotiations with Zelenskyy and peace with Ukraine,” he added.

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that Moscow allegedly supports providing Ukraine with security guarantees, but that Kyiv must abandon its intention to join NATO.
• On August 21 night, Russia launched a combined attack on Ukraine: explosions in Lviv, Khmelnytskyi, Lutsk, and Rivne, with air defenses active in Kyiv.
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow does not accept any security guarantees for Ukraine if they involve isolating Russia or are directed against it.