Russia recognizes Zelenskyy as Ukraine’s leader, but there is condition for meeting with Putin, says Foreign Minister
Photo: Sergey Lavrov (Getty Images)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow recognizes Volodymyr Zelensky as Ukraine’s “de facto” Head of State and is ready to meet with him. However, it will not sign any documents, NBC News reports.
“No, we recognize him (Volodymyr Zelenskyy - ed.) as the de facto head of the regime. In this capacity, we are ready to meet with him,” Lavrov said.
At the same time, the Russian Foreign Minister once again raised the issue of Zelensky’s alleged illegitimacy, claiming that a legitimate person must be the one to sign documents.
“When we come to a stage when you have to sign documents, we would need a very clear understanding by everybody that the person who is signing is legitimate. According to the Ukrainian Constitution, Mr Zelenskyy is not at the moment,” Lavrov stated.
The Russian Foreign Minister also added that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy. But, as before, Lavrov again shifted the focus back to the issue of legitimacy.
“Yes, we can meet. But no, we cannot meet just for him to have a picture and to say that now I am legitimate. Legitimacy is another matter. Because, irrespective of when this meeting might take place, the issue of who is going to sign the deal on the Ukrainian side is very important,” the Russian Foreign Minister said.
In addition, Lavrov told NBC that Russia wants to raise the level of delegations in order to discuss “issues that need to be brought to the attention of Putin and Zelenskyy.”
“These issues relate both to humanitarian, military, and political matters,” the Russian Foreign Minister specified.
Zelenskyy-Putin meeting
Last week, US President Donald Trump met with Putin in Alaska. Already on Monday, he hosted Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House.
Shortly after the meeting, Trump announced on his social media that preparations had begun for a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, after which a trilateral summit would take place.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that the meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia should be held within two weeks after the White House summit.
However, judging by recent developments, it is still unclear when exactly a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy will take place.
