DISINFO: Zelenskyy is not an independent president, he is the spokesman of US interests
SUMMARY
Who is Zelenskyy today? He is the spokesman of US interests. This tandem (US and Zelenskyy) has completely different, not at all, peacemaking aspirations. They absolutely do not need a settlement of the conflict [in Donbas].
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative alleging that Ukraine is under external control.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the President of Ukraine. Ukraine is an independent, sovereign country whose independence is recognised by the whole world but violated by Russia. The relations between the US and Ukraine are bilateral relations between two independent countries. The US recognised Ukraine as an independent state on 25 December 1991. US policy is centred on realising and strengthening a stable, democratic, prosperous, and free Ukraine, more closely integrated into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures.
It is not true that Ukraine does not intend to settle the conflict in Donbas peacefully. The implementation of the Minsk agreements remains one of the key priorities of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In a recent address, he mentioned that Ukraine will adhere to all agreements aimed at establishing peace in Donbas.
See similar disinformation cases in our database: Ukrainian side does not abide by the Minsk agreements; Ukraine is under obvious external control, Zelenskyy is being blackmailed; the US has taken Ukraine under external control.