In Russia, they reacted to the statement of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine is "the only legitimate heir to Kievan Rus."

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, ironically urged Zelensky "not to be offended" if part of Ukraine is called Rus.

“Prince Volodymyr, then don’t be offended that a part of Ukraine will be called Rus.

I said it myself.

Well done," Zakharova wrote on Telegram.

Earlier, Zelensky spoke about the historical continuity of Kievan Rus during a video message timed to coincide with the Day of Ukrainian Statehood celebrated in Ukraine on July 28.

The President of the country said that Ukraine "originates at least one and a half thousand years ago."

“Since the date officially recognized by the UN and UNESCO, when Kyi, Shchek, Khoriv and Lybid founded the capital of Ukraine.

She is the only legitimate heir to Kievan Rus, the achievements and assets of our rulers,” Zelensky said.

Recall that the Day of Ukrainian Statehood is celebrated in the country for the first time.

This holiday was established at the initiative of Zelensky in 2021.

A year ago on this day, Zelensky also issued a statement in which he called Ukraine the heir of Kievan Rus.

In particular, as the Ukrainian president stated in his address on the occasion of the anniversary of the Baptism of Kievan Rus, in the capital of Ukraine "the history of Christianity in Eastern Europe began" when "the Grand Duke of Kyiv Vladimir christened Kievan Rus - Ukraine."

Commenting on Zelensky's new statements, State Duma deputy Oleg Morozov called the Ukrainian leader's statements about Kievan Rus ignorant.

“From the point of view of historical science, this is simply monstrous ignorance, which is a shame to demonstrate even to such an absurd character as Zelensky.

It's just embarrassing.

This is a task for a second grade student, which is solved differently, ”the deputy said in an interview with an RT correspondent.

According to the parliamentarian, Zelensky, in his own words, also pursues political tasks, within which he needs to put Ukraine in a certain light.

Also on russian.rt.com In search of identity: why in Kyiv they started talking about renaming the country to Rus-Ukraine

“He is trying to present the Ukrainian state as a state with a great history, as a country that is the heir to a great culture.

What doesn't really exist.

The trouble with Ukraine is that it is an artificial, ridiculous phenomenon on the political map of the world.

Unfortunately, this happened,” the deputy said.

According to Morozov, Zelensky's vision of Ukraine does not coincide with reality.

“In practice, people see something completely different.

They see a crumbling state, they see a crumbling economy.

Everything is ridiculous, everything is pathetic in the performance of this pathetic character, ”concluded the deputy.

In turn, Senator Olga Kovitidi, a member of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building, called the Ukrainian president illiterate. 

“Zelensky is a hostage of the myths of Soviet historiography, although he is pursuing a course of decommunization.

Thus, Zelensky is showing illiteracy, ”the senator said in an interview with RT.

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"Zelensky's resource is exhausted"

Maria Zakharova previously spoke about the fact that the image of Vladimir Zelensky has been exhausted by the West.

According to a representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the world audience no longer perceives the Ukrainian leader as planned: “they fed him.”

“The image cannot be changed: the paramilitary image cannot be changed to any other without an impossible victory.

They also couldn’t come up with a new communication format, ”Zakharova wrote in Telegram.

According to her, “Zelensky’s resource has been exhausted”, instead, Western media pay more attention to the wife of the Ukrainian leader, Elena Zelenskaya.

“Have you noticed how Western media are promoting Zelensky’s wife?

A visit to the USA, magazine covers, photo shoots in the bunker.

Even the president of Ukraine now gives interviews against the backdrop of his wife, ”Zakharova wrote, noting that now“ the dish is called “Zelensky under Elena” on the political menu.