The Russian dictator Vladimir Putin believes that the President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, does not have the authority to sign documents resulting from possible negotiations with Moscow.
As reported by RBK-Ukraine, this statement was made by the Kremlin leader in an interview with Russian propagandist Pavel Zarubin.
Putin claimed that negotiations with Ukraine supposedly began at the start of the so-called "special military operation," when the Kremlin suggested that Ukraine "leave" the "LPR" and "DPR," and that there would be no hostilities. However, Putin likely forgot about the then-requirements for "demilitarization," "denazification," and Ukraine's neutral status.
"The negotiations actually started immediately after the beginning of the special military operation. Initially, we told the then Ukrainian leadership: the people in the 'DPR' and 'LPR' do not want to be part of Ukraine, leave there and that's it, it will all end," said Putin.
According to him, in that case, Russia supposedly would not have attacked Ukrainian territory, while he believes that it was Kyiv that decided to engage in warfare.
Additionally, Putin asserted that the powers of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky have allegedly expired. Therefore, Zelensky supposedly does not have the right to conclude a peace treaty due to his so-called illegitimacy.
"We need lawyers to confirm the legitimacy of those individuals who will be authorized by the Ukrainian state to sign these agreements," the Kremlin leader stated.
Putin believes that when Zelensky signed the decree prohibiting negotiations with Russia, he was still legitimate, and thus, in his opinion, the decree will need to be revoked before negotiations.
The dictator is convinced that Ukraine will not be able to continue fighting if the West stops its support. He claims that the key factor in the continuation of hostilities is the financial backing of Kyiv and the supply of ammunition.
"I think that ... if the money and, broadly speaking, the ammunition stop, everything will end within a month and a half to two. In this sense, Ukraine's sovereignty is almost zero," Putin said.
Recall that U.S. President Donald Trump firmly addressed Putin urging him to come to the negotiating table to end the war against Ukraine. Trump stated that otherwise, he would take tough measures to compel Moscow to do so.
In response, Putin complained that Kyiv allegedly has a ban on negotiations with Russia.
For more on the possibility of negotiations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation and the role of U.S. President Trump in this process - read in the RBK-Ukraine article.