What's happened
Russia has opened a criminal case against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and added him to a wanted list, a move dismissed by Ukraine as a sign of Moscow's desperation and propaganda.
Why it matters
Russia's action of putting Zelenskyy on the wanted list is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between the two countries. It reflects the escalating tensions and the lengths to which Russia is willing to go to target the Ukrainian President. This move could further strain diplomatic relations and increase the risk of violence or retaliation.
What the papers say
The Japan Times reported that Russia has opened a criminal case against Zelenskyy and put him on a wanted list, while Politico highlighted Ukraine's Foreign Ministry's response, calling it a sign of Russian desperation and propaganda. South China Morning Post also covered the story, emphasizing Zelenskyy's awareness of multiple foiled assassination attempts against him.
How we got here
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine dates back to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, there have been ongoing tensions and military actions between the two countries. The addition of Zelenskyy to Russia's wanted list is seen as a further escalation of hostilities.
Common question
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