Zelensky Open to Peace Talks with Putin, Seeks Security Guarantees from Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated potential willingness to engage in direct peace negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, contingent upon receiving security guarantees from U.S. President Donald Trump. This development was reported by Bloomberg on Thursday.
In late 2022, Zelensky had enacted a decree prohibiting himself from negotiating with Putin following the annexation of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions by Russia through referendums. This legislation is still in effect, as confirmed by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga earlier this month.
However, during a recent interview with Bloomberg, Zelensky seemed to shift his position, expressing a desire for assurances from Trump regarding Ukraine's defense prior to any discussions with Putin. He stated that the primary concern is the nature of the security guarantees, emphasizing the need for a solid and irreversible commitment to Ukraine's security before proceeding with diplomatic efforts.
In previous statements, Putin had suggested that he would only be willing to negotiate with Zelensky if the latter were to hold an election and secure a victory, which would restore his legitimacy as a leader. Despite the expiration of his term in May of last year, Zelensky remains in power, having canceled the presidential elections citing martial law due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. Putin has criticized this move as unconstitutional, arguing that it undermines the legitimacy of Ukraine's governance.
On Tuesday, President Trump expressed readiness to meet with Putin at any time to explore diplomatic resolutions to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He noted that discussions with Zelensky are ongoing and that talks with Putin are anticipated soon.
Putin, in turn, acknowledged Trump's willingness to revive communication channels between Moscow and Washington, which had been largely stalled under the Biden administration. He emphasized that any dialogue must be conducted on an equal and mutually respectful basis, reiterating the importance of preventing escalation into a broader conflict.
