Putin sees Zelenskiy as obstacle to peace

Ukraine could find a legal way to hold peace talks with Russia on ending their nearly three-year-old war, but Moscow sees no willingness on Kyiv's part to engage, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday. Putin told Russian state television that negotiations with Ukraine were complicated by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's "illegitimacy" in remaining in power beyond his mandate with no authority to sign documents. "But essentially, if they want to proceed, there is a legal way to do it. Let the chairman of the Rada (Ukraine's parliament) handle it in accordance with the constitution," Putin told top Kremlin reporter Pavel Zarubin. "If there is a desire, we can resolve any legal issues. However, so far, we simply do not see such a desire." If Ukraine showed a desire to negotiate and seek compromises, Putin said, "let anyone suitable lead those talks. We will naturally secure what meets our interests. "But in terms of signing documents, everything has to be done in a way that legal experts confirm the legitimacy of those who are authorised by the Ukrainian state to sign these agreements." Russia has long alleged that Zelenskiy no longer has legal authority as his term in office ran out in May 2024 and no presidential election has since been held. Ukraine's constitution empowers the speaker of parliament to act if the president is unable to do so. In his comments, Putin said that if Ukraine's Western allies backed the notion of talks it would be simple to find a legal way to proceed with them. Putin said he had sent "an appropriate signal" to this effect to former President Joe Biden. In addition, Putin said, a legal means could be found to rescind a 2022 Ukrainian presidential decree that Moscow says barred any talks with the Russian leadership. Zelenskiy said last week that the decree, signed after Russia unilaterally annexed four Ukrainian regions, only barred negotiations with Ukrainian groups outside his authority and was aimed at blocking talks with separatists.

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