Putin’s latest demands signal reluctance to end war - ISW

As ISW notes, in his typical manner, Putin questioned the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He also asserted that concluding a peace deal with the current Ukrainian authorities is supposedly impossible, effectively ruling out the possibility of serious negotiations.

Putin said he sees no point in negotiations with Ukraine, arguing that reaching any agreement with Kyiv is impossible. At the same time, he issued a new demand: even if a peace agreement were signed, Ukraine would first need to lift martial law, hold presidential elections, and then organize a nationwide referendum to codify the agreements.

ISW analysts note that Putin and other Kremlin officials have repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, deliberately distorting the norms of the Ukrainian Constitution. Experts argue that such statements are part of Putin’s strategy: to portray Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian leadership as partners with whom it is impossible to negotiate or sign a peace deal.

According to ISW, this demonstrates Putin’s disinterest in substantive negotiations to end the war. It also shows that the Kremlin leader seeks to delay or prolong talks, and his statements serve as an attempt to justify Russia’s refusal to engage in negotiations at all, while shifting the blame onto Ukraine for the breakdown of the diplomatic process.

Previously, Putin stated that he does not rule out a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, but that Zelenskyy would need to come to Moscow if he is ready for such a meeting.

Zelenskyy has already responded, saying he is waiting for Putin in Kyiv.