The elimination of Volodymyr Zelensky, a “gift” for Putin at the investiture in the new term of president of Russia. This would have been the goal of a network of Russian agents plotting to kill the Ukrainian president, according to the Ukrainian security service Sbu, which uncovered the plan, reports La Repubblica.
The counterintelligence operation led to the arrest of two Ukrainian colonels, accused of high treason and complicity in a terrorist attack for collaborating with Russian services.
In Moscow, on the occasion of Putin’s investiture, the presence of representatives of European countries caused controversy, despite the fact that Brussels’ line was to boycott the ceremony.
The EU did not send its ambassador, but some member states – France, Hungary, Slovakia, Greece, Cyprus and Malta – decided independently and sent their diplomatic representatives. Tensions remain high ahead of May 9, Victory Day over Nazi-fascism, celebrated in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was sworn in at a lavish ceremony at the Kremlin on Tuesday for a fifth term with more power than ever.
Putin, 71, has ruled Russia since the turn of the century, securing a new six-year term in March after winning an unopposed presidential election.
