Says Ukrainian president lacks legal authority
\n MOSCOW
\nUkraine 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\u2019s part to engage, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.
\nPutin told Russian state television that negotiations with Ukraine were complicated by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy\u2019s \u201cillegitimacy\u201d in remaining in power beyond his mandate with no authority to sign documents.
\n\u201cBut essentially, if they want to proceed, there is a legal way to do it. Let the chairman of the Rada (Ukraine\u2019s parliament) handle it in accordance with the constitution,\u201d Putin told top Kremlin reporter Pavel Zarubin.
\n\u201cIf there is a desire, we can resolve any legal issues. However, so far, we simply do not see such a desire.\u201d
\nIf Ukraine showed a desire to negotiate and seek compromises, Putin said, \u201clet anyone suitable lead those talks. We will naturally secure what meets our interests. \u201cBut 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.\u201d
\nRussia 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\u2019s constitution empowers the speaker of parliament to act if the president is unable to do so.
\nIn his comments, Putin said that if Ukraine\u2019s 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 \u201can appropriate signal\u201d to this effect to former President Joe Biden.
\nIn 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Says Ukrainian president lacks legal authority MOSCOW 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\u2019s part to engage, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday. Putin told Russian state television that negotiations with Ukraine were complicated by President […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":458438,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-458423","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n