“They understand what is happening there and that peace has no alternative.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that on Friday about members of Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, during his evening briefing.
He did not say who they are. He claimed only that some figures around the Russian president privately back an end to the war. “We have made proposals on how to bring peace closer,” he said. “We have support not only among partners in the world, but also among Putin’s entourage regarding peace.”
Anadolu Agency and Yeni Safak both reported that Moscow had not commented on the claim. Independent verification is difficult while the fighting continues, they noted. Yeni Safak added that Russian officials have previously dismissed similar reports of friction among Putin’s advisers as psychological warfare meant to weaken Russia’s military effort.
Fuel shortages as pressure
Zelenskyy pointed to a worsening gasoline “crisis” in Russia. He called it a justified consequence of Moscow’s refusal to end the war, and offered it as evidence of growing pressure on the Kremlin. Diplomatic channels remain open despite the stepped-up military campaign, he said.
A new command for long-range strikes
He also announced a new command inside Ukraine’s Armed Forces. He described it as “a command of long-range, in fact – global influence on Russia during this war.”
Ukrainian long-range strikes, Zelenskyy said, have already reached multiple regions inside Russia as well as Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine, and he promised to expand them. The new body is meant to pool resources toward that goal. “This command must concentrate one hundred percent of available resources in order to further significantly reduce Russia’s war potential,” he said.
Sources
- Zelenskyy claims some in Putin’s inner circle support ending war
- Zelenskyy: Putin's inner circle backs peace efforts
