In a recent comment, Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “illegitimate”. He continued that this classification makes attaining a legally binding agreement with Kyiv all the more difficult. As such, Putin’s comments directly impact the distribution of territorial gains and losses in ongoing and future military engagements, as well as any potential future negotiations.
Moreover, Putin claimed that for any actual peace agreement to occur, it would need greater international denunciation of Ukraine’s president. He argued that Ukraine should be willing to give up territory that Moscow is already unable to seize through military aggression. “If Ukrainian troops leave the territories they occupy, then we will stop fighting,” Putin declared, underlining his position that Russian military actions will continue unless Ukraine withdraws from certain areas currently under its control.
This week, Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russian conditions for peace go beyond handing over some territory. He insists that the West should acknowledge the legitimacy of Russia’s claims. He pointed to the draft peace plan being circulated by U.S. officials and Ukraine as a potential starting point for any long-term agreement. More than anything, he is convinced that today’s Ukrainian government is not legitimate.
Putin underlined his conviction that Ukraine’s current leadership is, at best, not legitimate. He contends that this illegitimacy prevents real dialogue from taking place. His demand that any peace should involve Ukraine surrendering territory has drawn ire from Kyiv. Their officials simply don’t even want to discuss these demands, and suggesting them is seen as a harmful capitulation.
The Russian president otherwise strongly dismissed accusations that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff was biased. Witkoff is expected to fly to Russia early next week to begin discussions with the Russians regarding peace talks. “These claims are absurd,” Putin said, further crystallizing his purpose to negotiate, but only by projecting resolve on his non-negotiable demands.
Putin’s recent negotiating strategy reflects a long-standing pattern of attempting to signal openness to peace talks while concurrently upholding maximalist demands. This strategy reflects the playbook used by Russia after other major international negotiations, especially during times of political transition in the United States.
While Putin expresses a willingness to consider peace negotiations, the conditions he outlines pose significant challenges for the Ukrainian government. The chance for any settlement seems far off, as both parties continue to dig in on their sides of the issue.