Putin says he's ready to meet with Zelenskyy, but considers him «illegitimate» to sign deals

Vladimir Putin. AP photo

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he does not rule out the possibility of peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but questions his right to sign any international agreements.

He said this during a meeting with representatives of international news agencies. His words were quoted by the Russian state news agency «RIA Novosti».

Putin said he was ready for talks and meetings, including with Zelenskyy, but that any possible agreements should be signed by «legitimate authorities». The Kremlin does not recognise the current Ukrainian president as a legitimate representative of the state.

- We don't care who is negotiating, I am even ready to meet. But when it comes to the final stage... the signature must be of the legitimate authorities," he said.

In his statement, Putin also referred to the provisions of Ukraine's Constitution, arguing that Zelenskyy's term of office had expired and that the country is a «presidential-parliamentary republic», where all government bodies are allegedly formed by the president. Thus, according to the Kremlin's logic, the legitimacy of other branches of the Ukrainian government is also called into question.

Earlier, Putin said that he did not support the idea of holding talks with Ukraine at the level of leaders and compared the Ukrainian government to a terrorist organisation.

At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was ready for a personal meeting with Vladimir Putin and offered Russia a temporary ceasefire before it.