Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych says head of state Volodimir Zelensky should give up in the war against Russia.

“You are personally obligated to stop the bloodshed and conclude a peace agreement at all costs,” the pro-Russian politician wrote in a message distributed Tuesday by the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

“This is what Ukraine, the Donbas and Russia expect from you,” said the ex-president. According to him, the western partners of Kyiv would also welcome such a move.

Yanukovych was impeached in 2014 during protests by pro-Western protesters. Since then, the 71-year-old has lived in exile in Russia. In his home country, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison for high treason in absentia.