Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Moscow is open to peace talks with Ukraine but ruled out negotiating directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he called an “illegitimate” leader.
In an interview with state TV journalist Pavel Zarubin, Putin stated that while he is willing to send representatives for peace talks, he refuses to engage directly with Zelensky, arguing that the Ukrainian president’s term expired last year under martial law.
“If there is a desire to negotiate and find a compromise, let anyone else lead the negotiations there,” Putin said. “Naturally, we will strive for what suits us, what corresponds to our interests.”
Putin also suggested that the war in Ukraine could end in two months or less if Western nations halted their military and financial support to Kyiv.
“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.
Zelensky dismissed Putin’s remarks, accusing him of using “cynical tricks” to prolong the nearly three-year conflict.
“Today, Putin once again confirmed that he is afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders, and does everything possible to prolong the war,” Zelensky wrote on X.
Since taking office last week, U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed for a resolution to the war, threatening tougher sanctions on Russia while also suggesting that Zelensky is prepared to negotiate a “deal.”
Kyiv has warned against being sidelined in any negotiations between Moscow and Washington, accusing Putin of attempting to “manipulate” Trump to secure favorable terms.
