Putin open to talks but questions Zelensky's legitimacy
Dmitry Peskov claims that Vladimir Putin is willing to engage in talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. However, the spokesperson for the Russian leader notes, in line with long-standing Russian propaganda, that he questions the legitimacy of Zelensky's presidency.
Many reports shared by Russian media and authorities are likely to be untrue. Such information may form part of the Russian Federation’s information warfare.
"Putin himself has repeatedly said he would be ready to negotiate with Zelensky if necessary. At the same time, the legal fixation of the agreements is subject to serious discussion, considering the reality," the Kremlin representative said in a statement to Russian agencies.
Putin claims that Volodymyr Zelensky, "given the reality that [his] legitimacy can be contested," has no right to sign a peace treaty, although "The Russian side remains open to negotiations."
It should be noted that Putin claims that the change of power in Ukraine was the result of a coup, rather than democratic elections, which, in his view, undermines the legitimacy of Zelensky and the entire Ukrainian government.
Additionally, the Kremlin uses these arguments to justify its illegal actions in Ukraine, including the annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Donbas, fitting into a broader narrative of purportedly "defending the Russian-speaking population in that country."
Zelensky: I do not intend to accept the ultimatum
Talks between the Russian and American delegations in Riyadh lasted over four hours on Tuesday. A US State Department spokesperson reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed to "appoint respective high-level teams to begin working on a path to ending the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible in a way that is enduring, sustainable, and acceptable to all sides."
At a press conference after the meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the only leader in the world who can initiate the negotiation process and lead to ending the conflict is Donald Trump. - I would say to you that in order to bring an end to any conflict there has to be concessions made by all sides - emphasised Rubio in the presence of journalists.
Volodymyr Zelensky, who travelled to Ankara on Tuesday to attend the opening of the Ukrainian embassy, commented on the outcome of the talks in Riyadh. - I have never given any guarantees to anyone or confirmed anything - he stressed.
- I have never intended to accept Russia's ultimatums - declared Volodymyr Zelensky, as quoted by Ukrainian media.
