Zelensky transforming Putin from the warmonger in Ukraine into an "international mediator" over the war itself

The current global epidemic of the spread of the Corona Virus now dominates the news in practically every country in the world.

The minds of all people are now focused on protecting themselves from being infected with this dangerous virus, and rightly so.

Governments all over the world are now scrambling to protect their citizens from succumbing to the devastating social and economic impact of this rampantly spreading virus.

Already, as the price of oil continues to slide, Putin is at near panic stations. Putin now has to deal with BOTH the sliding price of oil, as well as trying to stem the spread of the Corona Virus among the Russian population.
 

As reported by Matt Egan,

"The nightmare in the oil industry keeps getting worse. It's now facing the weakest oil price since the first term of President George W. Bush. Intensifying recession fears drove US oil prices down a staggering 24% Wednesday to $20.37 a barrel. That's the lowest level since February 2002." (CNN Business : 18 March 2020) (my emphasis)

CNN Business :  18 March 2020

In his panic, Putin is now scrambling to save the Russian economy by,

"...[refusing] to cut production, in a bid to drown America's high-cost shale producers in a sea of cheap crude. Saudi Arabia responded by slashing prices and ramping up production -- exactly the opposite of what was needed to balance the market. " (ibid Matt Egan) (my emphasis)  

Meanwhile, on the political front, Zelensky has agreed to,

"...begin talks with representatives of Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine, marking a significant policy departure following six years of refusals to enter into direct dialogue with the Kremlin-appointed authorities of the breakaway regions. The agreement in question was signed in Minsk on March 11 by representatives of the Trilateral Contact Group, which consists of Ukraine, Russia, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)." (Peter Dickinson : Atlantic Council : 14 March 2020) (my emphasis)

But, as Alyona Getmanchuk (right) points out,

"Direct talks between Kyiv on the one hand and the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics, on the other hand, have been a key Kremlin demand ever since the beginning of the war in 2014.  

...

Kyiv avoided this scenario in order to keep Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine. The idea has always been to prevent Russia from transforming itself (with Ukraine’s blessing) from a conflict participant into an international mediator, much as Moscow did earlier in Moldova." (Atlantic Council : 14 March 2020) (my emphasis)

Zelensky has, in one stroke, transformed Putin from having started the war with Ukraine into an 'international mediator' in the very war with Ukraine that he started in the first place.

As if to further consolidate his rapprochement with Putin, Zelensky has appointed Iryna Venedyktova (left) as the new Prosecutor-General who has previously clashed with reporters and civil society activists.

As reported by RFERL,

"The March 17 vote by the Verkhovna Rada was the latest in a series of top-level government personnel changes by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
.....

Olena Halushka (right), director of international relations with the Anti-Corruption Action Center, said Venedyktova's new position raised doubts about the reform efforts that Ryaboshapka had undertaken.
.....
Halushka said Venedyktova did not have a background in criminal law, and had made several controversial appointments during her brief tenure as head of the DBR.

"Given her background and previous activities, as well as the context in which Ryaboshapka was dismissed and she [was] appointed, there are doubts she will be an independent and efficient prosecutor-general,” she told RFE/RL." (RFERL : 17 March 2020) (my emphasis)

Melinda Haring (left) is concerned about the shortcomings of Iryna Venedyktova.

As she reports,

"Venedyktova, who was the acting chief of the State Bureau of Investigations before her new appointment, is exactly the wrong person for the job.

Why? Because of the company she keeps. 

At the State Bureau of Investigations, she appointed Viktor Yanukovych’s former defense attorney as her first deputy and made a series of other questionable appointments. The Kyiv Post says that she’s considering making another dubious person deputy prosecutor general." (Atlantic Council : 17 March 2020) (my emphasis)

As concerns grow about the appointment of Iryna Venedyktova as the new Prosecutor-General, and Zelensky is "transforming Putin from having started the war with Ukraine into an 'international mediator' in the very war with Ukraine that he started in the first place", UNIAN informs us that,

"Russia's hybrid military forces on March 17 mounted 10 attacks on Ukrainian Army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with two Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action. "The Russian Federation's armed forces violated the ceasefire 10 times on March 17" (UNIAN : 18 March 2020) (my emphasis)

As much as Zelensky is desperately trying to appease Putin, in light of the near avalanche of economic calamities now falling all around him, Putin WILL more dangerously lash out against the people of Ukraine.

Putin needs someone to kick around to vent his frustrations against the Corona virus and Saudi Arabia slashing the price of oil, a price that determines the viability of the whole of the Russian economy.

And what easier target than Zelensky and the people of Ukraine. 

(to be continued)