Putin Open to Talks, Doubts on Kyiv’s Ability to Legally Finalize Peace Agreement

MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he is willing to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy but cast doubt on Kyiv’s ability to legally finalize any peace agreement. Speaking at a forum with top global news agencies in St. Petersburg, Putin said, “I am ready to meet with everyone, including Zelenskyy,” while stressing that the central concern is not dialogue, but who can sign a binding accord. “If this is some kind of final stage…the signature must be of the legitimate authorities,” he said, warning that otherwise a future government might annul the agreement.

Putin insisted the legal validity of any deal is paramount and questioned the legitimacy of Zelenskyy’s presidency, citing Ukraine’s constitutional term limits. “It’s not about who negotiates—we don’t care if it’s the current head of the regime—but the final signature must be legally binding,” he added. Putin also dismissed Germany’s potential role as a neutral mediator, arguing its military support for Ukraine disqualifies it. “A mediator must be neutral,” he said, criticizing Berlin’s delivery of Leopard tanks and plans to send Taurus missiles.

Putin reiterated that Russia is prepared to negotiate, emphasizing the need for a legally enforceable agreement to ensure long-term peace. He mentioned a recent prisoner swap involving 500 Ukrainian and 400 Russian soldiers, along with the repatriation of over 6,000 bodies. Putin also blamed the West for the failure of the 2015 Minsk Agreements and echoed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s view that the war could have been avoided under his leadership.