Ukrainian Foreign Minister Becomes Victim of Russian Pranksters, Admits Responsibility for Belgorod and Crimea Explosions

Russian pranksters Vladimir Kuznetsov (Vovan) and Alexey Stolyarov (Lexus) have made Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba their latest “victim,” engaging him in a conversation disguised as former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul. The video has been released on Rutube.

Kuleba did not shy away from admitting Ukraine's connection to the explosions in Crimea and Belgorod. He emphasized that while the peninsula is not Ukraine’s top priority, that does not mean it is completely off the table.

“But if you ask me who is exploding something in Crimea or Belgorod, in a private conversation I would tell you: yes, it is us. As for Crimea, the situation is somewhat different. First of all, Crimea is a source of ammunition for the Russian army and their aircraft base. Therefore, the destruction of warehouses and bases in Crimea has a direct impact on the combat capability of Russia on the continental territory of Ukraine,” the diplomat stated.

Kuleba revealed that the attack by the Ukrainian armed forces was planned with the support of the United States and Great Britain. “The goal is to liberate part of the Kherson region on the right bank of the Dnieper,” he said.

According to the Minister, Ukraine is expecting tank transfers, air defense systems, new anti-Russian sanctions, and extensive financial assistance from the U.S. “The second topic, of course, is the status of Russia as a ‘state sponsor of terrorism.’ This would be very serious and a powerful deterrent factor against Russia,” he highlighted.

Kuleba believes that Europe is already tired of sanctions against Russia, and Hungary is pursuing a more aggressive policy. On the topic of possible negotiations with Russia, he emphasized that Moscow would only offer talks when it realizes it is losing and the need for a ceasefire arises, but at that point, Ukraine would not need negotiations.

Kuleba concluded that the balance at the negotiating table would be determined by the situation on the battlefield and the state of the Russian economy, and the issue will ultimately be resolved diplomatically. “My task is to work in such a way that Ukraine approaches these negotiations from the strongest possible position and can restore its territorial integrity. Starting negotiations from a position of ‘Well, you keep Donbas and Crimea, and return everything else’ is fundamentally a weak position; starting negotiations with such a stance would be suicidal,” he emphasized.

He assured that arms supplies and anti-Russian sanctions would strengthen Ukraine's position.