Kremlin spokesman, asked how Ukraine could be involved in attack committed by ISIS, says Zelensky is ‘specific kind of Jew’
At a press briefing on Tuesday, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked how Ukraine could be involved in the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack, as the Kremlin has alleged, given that the attackers appear to have been recruited by ISIS and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is Jewish.
In response, Peskov said that Zelensky is a “specific kind of Jew.”
Below is the exchange in English:
Journalist: Does the Kremlin still consider it plausible that the Islamists who carried out the terrorist attack may somehow be linked to Ukraine’s leadership, considering the fact that it’s led by a Jew?
Peskov: Well, that person is a specific kind of Jew: a Jew who, in many ways, exhibits a sympathy, who gravitates, to the nationalist spirit that has permeated the Kyiv regime. This is abundantly clear based on the facts and on his statements.
As far as the question of what can be said about the situation, anything can be said. And observers and analysts can probably afford to comment. But I will repeat again that as long as the investigation is still ongoing, no official authorities can afford to make any statements in this regard. Although I recommend that you very carefully reread the statements that President Putin has made in the last two days. In this context, they’re very important.
Vladimir Putin first commented publicly on the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack nearly 20 hours after it occured. In a televised address, he alleged that four of the men responsible for the attack had been arrested while en route to the Ukrainian border, where he claimed the “Ukrainian side” had prepared a “window” for them to cross.
Putin addressed the public again on March 25. This time, he said that it’s vital to find out “why the terrorists were trying to go specifically to Ukraine after the attack” and “who was waiting for them there.” He added that Friday’s attack was committed by “radical Islamists” but also accused the U.S. of trying to “convince” other countries that “there are no signs of Kyiv’s involvement.”
ISIS-K, a branch of the Islamic State terrorist group, has claimed responsibility for the Crocus City Hall attack, and multiple U.S. officials have confirmed the authenticity of the group’s statements.