Unelected Zelenskyy may hinder peace talks
Published May 24, 2024 at 7:45 p.m
FOREIGN. President Vladimir Putin may consider negotiating a ceasefire with Ukraine - if the country recognizes the current front lines. This is what four Russian sources told Reuters. At the same time, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyi's unclear status as head of state is a legal problem for Russia.
Putin is said to have expressed frustration that there is no willingness to negotiate on the Ukrainian side, according to Reuters sources.
- Putin can continue to fight as long as necessary, but Putin is also ready for a truce to freeze the war, said one of the sources, who is said to have insight into the conversations in the president's inner circle, to Reuters.
At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyi's decision to cancel all elections and remain in power is a scourge for Russia, which cannot trust a peace agreement to be followed if it is signed by a leader who, according to Ukrainian law, does not actually have the right to lead the country.
- With whom should we negotiate? It's a strange question, I agree. We see that the incumbent leader of the [Ukrainian] side is no longer legitimate, Putin said, referring to Zelensky's term ending on May 20.