Matviyenko greeted with flowers in Europe. Sanctions are kindergarten: Arestovych's revelations*

He expressed regret that this event reveals the EU's true attitude toward Moscow far more deeply than all the statements made at "all those fancy forums."

According to Arestovych*, this situation is more telling than official statements and discussions on international platforms. He emphasized that the EU's real attitude toward Russia is reflected not in words but in actions, such as organizing the visit and the level of reception for the high-ranking Russian official.

"Matviyenko was greeted with flowers in Europe, which had vowed not to abandon Ukraine and to fight for it to the last against the terrible Russia. But then the speaker of the Federation Council arrives, and she's welcomed with little flowers," he said.

Social media and Telegram channels actively circulated a video of his statement this week. Arestovych* mentioned Matviyenko's visit while answering a question about possible U.S. sanctions.

"I really want to see these terrible sanctions, but how to put it delicately—what does a soldier in a trench or advancing on a trench care about these sanctions? Will Putin be able to maintain the army's combat readiness? He will. What else is needed?" the politician wondered.

In response, his opponent suggested that internal turmoil in Russia would be beneficial. However, Arestovych* reacted skeptically, with a hint of irony.

"Turmoil over what? You have to understand Russians. As soon as Russians get the signal that the West is against them, that it has decided to dismember Mother Russia, they will tighten their belts, and support for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will be 146%—that's just how Russians are. You have to understand them clearly.

When there's damage to prestige, an attack on Mother Russia and its symbolic capital, they always just rally together, close ranks even tighter. They only grow angrier. This is a very stupid story. None of this works with Russia," Arestovych* assured.

He believes there are only two paths in relations with Russia: either wage a full-scale war or avoid any armed conflict. All other approaches, in his opinion, are a pointless waste of time.

"Sanctions, re-sanctions—it's all kindergarten, the sixth nursery group," concluded the former advisor to the Ukrainian president.

* Included in Rosfinmonitoring's list of terrorists and extremists