Russia threatening officials Ukraine after Kyiv arrested pro-President politician Vladimir Putin. They warned Ukrainian officials to be vigilant and to lock their doors at night.
Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, made the threat via social media Telegram after hearing news of the detention of Viktor Medvedchuk, a pro-Putin Ukrainian opposition politician.
“[Sebaiknya kalian] be alert and lock the door carefully at night,” Medvedev wrote, as reported by Associated PressWednesday (13/4).
Not to be outdone, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that Medvedev was “a nobody.”
“[Kata-katanya] disgusting, and as usual, stupid.”
Threats between Ukrainian and Russian officials escalated after Kyiv arrested Medvedchuk in a special operation on Tuesday (12/4).
Medvedchuk had been under house arrest since 2021, but escaped when the Russians began the invasion.
So far, Viktor Medvedchuk is known to be very pro-Putin. During his time as leader of the Ukrainian opposition, he has always called for rejection of his country’s plans to join NATO.
Not only in the political sphere, Medvedchuk is also close to Putin personally. His family maintains close relations with Putin.
So important Medvedchuk to Putin, Zelensky even offered to exchange prisoners with Russia. He was willing to release Medvedchuk if Putin freed a number of Ukrainians held captive during the invasion.
Analysts also consider Medvedchuk to be a high bargaining power for Ukraine in a peace dialogue with Russia.
“The friendly relationship between Putin and Medvedchuk has turned him into a prized trophy for Kyiv, and fueled the Kremlin’s fury and dangerous desire for revenge,” said Penta Center analyst VolodymyrF esenko.
He later said, “Medvedchuk’s fate can undoubtedly be the subject of bargaining and one of the hidden points of agreement between Kyiv and Moscow.”
While politicians sparred, Medvedchuk’s wife, Oksana Marchenko, urged Zelensky to release her husband. He guaranteed that Zelensky’s life would not be in danger if Medvedchuk was free.
“My husband was tried for political reasons, contrary to Ukrainian law,” she said.
(has/bac)
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