Putin Declares Ukrainian Government Illegitimate and Peace Negotiations Futile Amid Ongoing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on Thursday that Ukraine's government lacks legitimacy, making any peace agreements with them meaningless.

Putin characterized US President Donald Trump's proposal as "a set of issues put forward for discussion" rather than a finalized agreement draft, though he acknowledged it could serve as a foundation for future negotiations.

The Russian leader claimed that Kyiv's leadership lost its legitimate status after failing to conduct elections when President Volodymyr Zelensky's elected term expired. Ukrainian officials have maintained that holding elections is impossible while under martial law and defending against Russian aggression.

While noting that the United States is considering Russia's position, Putin emphasized that additional matters require discussion. "We need to sit down and discuss this seriously," he told reporters as he concluded a three-day diplomatic visit to Kyrgyzstan. "Every word matters."

Putin stated that hostilities would cease if Ukrainian forces withdrew from territories they currently control, adding ominously, "If they don't withdraw, we will achieve this by force."

This statement aligns with Putin's previous demands that Ukraine completely withdraw from the entirety of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia regions before Russia would consider peace negotiations—notably including areas Russia does not currently occupy.

The Russian president also continues to insist that Ukraine be barred from NATO membership and prohibited from hosting Western troops, conditions that would potentially allow Moscow to gradually bring Ukraine back under its influence.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to visit Moscow next week, while US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll may be traveling to Kyiv.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, has resulted in the most severe armed conflict in Europe since World War II.