Arab News Japan

TOKYO: A veteran Japanese politician with close ties to Russia says Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has “no political experience and is a comedian,” and that if he was a “true patriot,” he would offer a ceasefire and hold peace talks with Russia.

“Zelensky is still relying on others to give him weapons and financial support,” SUZUKI Muneo said in a TV news program. “If he can’t fight on his own, shouldn’t he stop?”

Suzuki said Russian President Vladimir Putin was open to talks and Zelensky should reciprocate.

Suzuki, 76, a member of the House of Councilors, has long expressed disapproval of arms support from the West and other countries to Ukraine, but recently he has been making comments questioning President Zelensky’s qualifications and has questioned whether he is the right person to be president.

“He has no political experience whatsoever,” Suzuki said. “He’s a comedian who just happened to win the presidency in a TV movie.”

With Ukraine suffering military reversals, Suzuki views Zelensky’s stance as problematic, believing that there is a need to find a “bottom line” to end the war.

“I can’t say this lightly, but I think there should be an armistice to prevent further casualties,” Suzuki said. “In the past, Japan also attacked the United States without considering its military strength, and this is something similar.”