Putin refuses direct talks with “illegitimate” Zelenskiy
- 29 January, 14:17
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he is ready for peace talks to end the nearly three-year war in Ukraine, but not directly with “illegitimate” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. "You can negotiate with anyone, but because of his illegitimacy, he [Zelenskiy] has no right to sign anything," Russian leader told state Rossiya 1 TV late on January 28.
"If [Zelenskiy] wants to participate, I will allocate people to take part,” Putin went on saying, stressing that any negotiations must align with Russia’s national interests.
Zelenskiy responded by saying that Vladimir Putin was "afraid" of negotiations. “Today, Putin once again confirmed that he is afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders, and does everything possible to prolong the war. Every move he makes and all his cynical tricks are aimed at making the war endless,” Zelenskiy wrote on a post on X on January 29.
The Ukrainian leader called for unity to bring peace closer through strength. “True peace is possible, if Russia is forced into it,” Zelenskiy concluded.
Ukraine has warned against being excluded from any peace talks between Russia and the US, accusing Putin of seeking to “manipulate” newly-elected President Donald Trump who has pledged to bring a swift end to the war.
