April 29, 2026, 5:08 p.mApril 29, 2026, 6:03 p.m
Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Sakharova. (Archive image, January 2026)Image: keystone
The Russian Foreign Ministry has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of provoking a nuclear war and threatened Europe with the consequences. Ukraine is shelling the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and Zelensky is demanding not only NATO status but also nuclear weapons for his security, said Russia’s Foreign Office spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
“He continues to provoke a nuclear conflict with such statements.”
Western Europe runs the risk of becoming the first victim of the consequences of this “nuclear blackmail,” she said.
The Europeans must stop the Ukrainian head of state instead of continuing to finance Kiev’s war efforts, demanded Zakharova. “Zelenskyj doesn’t want peace, that’s obvious,” she said. Selenskyj has recently called on Russia several times for new negotiations on a ceasefire and subsequent peace. The Kremlin rejects a ceasefire without preconditions such as handing over additional Ukrainian territories.
Moscow: Merz’s statements are meaningless
Zakharova also commented on statements by Chancellor Friedrich Merz that Ukraine might have to cede territory to Russia for peace. Neither Germany nor the EU are involved in the negotiation process. “All statements from your leadership on the subject are meaningless for us,” said Zakharova. It makes no sense to react to statements by European politicians as long as the continent continues to finance Ukraine.
Bulgaria and Turkey also received a rhetorical broadside. And this despite the fact that Rumen Radev, who is considered pro-Russian, recently won the early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin maintains friendly relations with Turkish President Recep Erdogan. As NATO members, both Black Sea countries are partly to blame for the environmental consequences caused by Kiev’s attacks on the Tuapse oil port, said Zakharova. Several Ukrainian drone attacks on a terminal in the city have led to serious fires and a spill of oil into the Black Sea. (sda/dpa)