Ban on negotiations with Putin no longer in effect? Politico learns Kyiv's position
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin (collage by RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may be open to negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite a decree that formally bans such dialogue, according to Politico.
An unnamed senior Ukrainian official told Politico that President Zelenskyy's 2022 decree banning talks with Vladimir Putin was intended to prevent unofficial negotiations between Ukrainian politicians and Russia.
"At that time, it was stated that it was impossible to talk to Putin; at this moment, it is possible to talk to Putin. The president decides when and with who he should be speaking at the right time. No word about ban," the source emphasized.
Politico notes that it's still unclear whether Zelenskyy will travel to Türkiye for a possible meeting with Putin.
"We will not publicly disclose our plans, as we’re waiting for the Russians to react," the source added.
Zelenskyy's decree
In October 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted a decree implementing the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
According to that decision, negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin were deemed "impossible."
As recently as January 2025, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine had not reversed its decision to ban direct talks with the Russian President
However, on May 11, the Kremlin leader proposed resuming negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul as early as Thursday, May 15. In response, Zelenskyy stated that he would personally travel to Istanbul and wait there for the Russian President.
