Zelensky Urges Allies To Push For ‘Regime Change’ In Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that the world should push for “regime change” in Russia, arguing that President Vladimir Putin otherwise would continue to destabilise Russia’s neighbours.

His remarks came at a conference hosted by Finland, marking 50 years since the signing of the “Helsinki Final Act,” a document meant to improve relations between Cold War adversaries.

“I believe Russia can be pushed to stop this war. It started it, and it can be made to end it,” Zelensky told the conference in an online address.

“But if the world doesn’t aim to change the regime in Russia, that means even after the war ends, Moscow will still try to destabilise neighbouring countries,” he added.

The Ukrainian head of state also said it was time to put frozen Russian assets to work against Russia.

“We need to fully block Russia’s war machine … put every frozen Russian asset, including the stolen wealth of corruption to work defending against Russian aggression,” Zelensky said.

“It’s time to confiscate Russian assets, not just freeze them, confiscate them and use them to serve peace, not war,” he added.

Zelensky had been invited to attend the Helsinki conference in person but gave his address remotely.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said last week that Russia would be participating but would not be sending any high-level representatives to the meeting.

On August 1, 1975, the Eastern and Western blocs signed the Helsinki Final Act in the Finnish capital.

The historic agreement between 35 states, including the Soviet Union and the United States, led to the creation of the OSCE, which today brings together 57 countries.