Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed willingness to negotiate an end to the ongoing Ukraine conflict but ruled out engaging with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he deemed “illegitimate.” Speaking on Tuesday, Putin argued that Zelensky’s presidential term had expired under martial law, making him ineligible to represent Ukraine in negotiations.
“If he [Zelensky] wants to participate in the negotiations, I will allocate people to take part in the negotiations,” Putin stated. However, he emphasized that Russia would pursue terms aligned with its own interests.
Trump Urges Peace, But No Clear Progress
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been advocating for an end to the nearly three-year war, recently asserting that Zelensky was eager to negotiate a “deal” to halt the fighting. Despite these claims, no substantial progress toward peace has been made.
Russian officials revealed that while no contact had been initiated between Trump’s team and the Kremlin, both sides appeared open to dialogue. Meanwhile, Kyiv has voiced concerns about being excluded from any potential negotiations, warning that Putin may attempt to “manipulate” Trump.
Putin’s Bold Claim: War Could End in Two Months
Putin also suggested that the war would conclude swiftly if Western nations halted their financial and military support to Ukraine. “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,” he claimed.
Despite these statements, the conflict shows no signs of de-escalation, and Trump’s assurances of a swift ceasefire remain unfulfilled. As global attention remains fixed on the crisis, the future of peace talks continues to be uncertain.