MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin has said his country could hold peace talks with Ukraine, but ruled out speaking directly with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he called “illegitimate.”
The Ukrainian leader responded by saying Putin was “afraid” of negotiations and was using “cynical tricks” to prolong the nearly three-year conflict.
US President Donald Trump has put pressure on both sides to end the fighting since assuming office on Jan. 20, threatening tougher sanctions on Russia while claiming Zelenskyy is ready to negotiate a “deal”.
“If (Zelenskyy) wants to participate in the negotiations, I will allocate people to take part,” Putin said, calling the Ukrainian leader “illegitimate” because his presidential term expired during martial law.
“If there is a desire to negotiate and find a compromise, let anyone lead the negotiations there… Naturally, we will strive for what suits us, what corresponds to our interests,” he added.
Zelenskyy said that there was a chance to achieve “real peace” but that the Kremlin chief was frustrating efforts to stop the fighting.
“Today, Putin once again confirmed that he is afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders, and does everything possible to prolong the war,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
Kyiv has warned against it being excluded from any peace talks between Russia and the US, accusing Putin of wanting to “manipulate” Trump.
Putin also claimed the fighting would end in two months or less if the West cut its support to Kyiv.
“They will not exist for a month if the money and, in a broad sense, the bullets run out. Everything would be over in a month and a half or two,” Putin said in comments to a state TV reporter.