The Ukrainian leader signed a decree in 2022 banning him from any negotiations with the Russian president
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has said he could engage in direct peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin if US President Donald Trump provides Kiev with security guarantees, Bloomberg reported on Thursday.
Zelensky signed a decree banning himself from any negotiations with Putin in the fall of 2022 after the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, along with the Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions, officially became part of Russia as a result of referendums. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga said earlier this month that the legislation remains in force.
However, in an interview with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Zelensky appeared to have changed his stance on the issue. According to the agency, the Ukrainian leader said he wants to secure a commitment from Trump to defend Ukraine before engaging with Putin.
“The only question is what security guarantees and honestly I want to have understanding before the talks. If he can guarantee this strong and irreversible security for Ukraine, we will move along this diplomatic path,” he said.
Last year, Putin said he would only be able to negotiate with Zelensky if he were to hold an election and win it, to restore his legitimacy.
Zelensky remains in power in Ukraine despite his term having officially expired in May last year. The Ukrainian leader canceled the presidential vote, citing martial law that he imposed due to the conflict with Russia.
According to Putin, the move violated the Ukrainian constitution, leaving parliament as the sole legitimate authority in the country.
