Russian President Vladimir Putin takes the oath of office during his inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia May 7, 2024. Sputnik/Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy lacks legitimacy following the expiration of his five-year term. This, according to Putin, would pose a legal challenge if peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were to resume.
Ukraine remains under martial law amidst the third year of Russia’s comprehensive invasion, and Zelenskiy has not held elections since his term ended this week. Both Zelenskiy and Ukraine’s allies support this decision, considering it appropriate given the ongoing war.
According to four Russian sources cited by Reuters, Putin is prepared to negotiate a ceasefire that would solidify the current battlefield lines. However, he is also willing to continue fighting if there is no response from Kyiv and the West.
During a televised press conference in Belarus, Putin emphasized the problematic status of Zelenskiy. He questioned the legitimacy of the Ukrainian head of state, stating, “But who to negotiate with? That’s not an idle question… Of course we realize the legitimacy of the incumbent head of state is over.”
Putin expressed skepticism about the upcoming Swiss-hosted conference on the war, suggesting it would merely serve to endorse Zelenskiy’s legitimacy without any legal significance. He advocated for peace to be based on pragmatic considerations rather than ultimatums, referring to draft documents created in the early weeks of the conflict and the current realities, where Russia controls nearly 20% of Ukraine.
Putin highlighted the importance of negotiating with legitimate authorities to sign legally binding documents, stressing the need for certainty regarding the legitimacy of Ukrainian authorities.
These comments are likely to be perceived by Ukraine and its Western allies as further evidence of Putin’s lack of genuine intent to engage in peace negotiations, despite his frequent declarations of willingness to do so. Zelenskiy has consistently rejected peace on Putin’s terms and has vowed to reclaim lost territories, including Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014. In 2022, Zelenskiy signed a decree formally declaring any negotiations with Putin “impossible”.
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