Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared the possibility of a personal meeting with President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky, but called into question his legitimacy. The head of the Kremlin said this during a press conference with foreign journalists on June 18, the Russian media reported.
"I am ready to meet Zelensky. The question is who will sign the documents? Documents should be signed by the legitimate government of Ukraine, otherwise they will have no force," Putin said. He stressed that the legal term of office of Zelensky, in his opinion, allegedly ended, and therefore the issue of signing of agreements raises "certain difficulties".
Putin added that a personal meeting with Zelensky allowed only at the final stage of the negotiation process - for "signing the final arrangements", if by that time the Ukrainian side officially authorized Zelensky.
In addition, Putin has once again promoted the Russian narrative on the "illegitimacy" of the Ukrainian authorities, saying: "If the first person of Ukraine is illegitimate, then the whole system of power there becomes illegitimate."
Nevertheless, the Kremlin head noted that Russia is allegedly open to a peaceful settlement of the war and "interested in its completion with a diplomatic way."
Putin also said that the negotiation group of the Russian Federation already maintains contact with representatives of Ukraine and can start a meeting after June 22.
The statements of the Russian leader were made against the backdrop of active international support of Ukraine and the recent peace summit in Switzerland, in which Russia did not participate.
