Putin Invites Zelensky to Moscow for Talks Amid Ongoing Conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin, wrapping up his visit to China, addressed the situation in Ukraine and the legitimacy of its authorities during a press conference. He emphasized that he has never ruled out the possibility of meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stating, “If Zelensky is ready, let him come to Moscow; the meeting will take place,” while questioning the significance of such negotiations.

Putin commented on the legitimacy of Zelensky’s presidency, highlighting that according to Ukraine’s Constitution, an extension of the presidential term under martial law is not permitted. “Elected for five years. Five years have passed. That’s it. The term is over,” he remarked, adding that in such circumstances, power should be transferred to the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada.

To restore legitimacy to the Ukrainian government, Putin argued that martial law must be lifted and a referendum held, which he deemed impossible under current conditions. He asserted that Russia’s fight is not merely about territory but about the rights of those who voted in referendums to join the Russian Federation, framing it as a matter of democracy. He noted that Moscow has never opposed Ukraine’s membership in the European Union but has consistently resisted its accession to NATO.

In response to a statement from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who labeled him “possibly one of the most serious war criminals of our time,” Putin dismissed Merz’s remarks as “an unsuccessful attempt to shirk responsibility for the tragedy taking place in Ukraine,” stressing that the West is neglecting its obligations to resolve the conflict.

Putin recalled that in 2014, ministers from three Western countries signed an agreement between then-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and the opposition, aiming to address the crisis constitutionally. He claimed that the following day saw a coup d’état, which the West not only failed to condemn but also supported. He argued that subsequent events, including Crimea’s reunification with Russia and the conflict in Donbass, were consequences of the West’s actions, which thwarted all of Russia’s efforts for a peaceful resolution, including through the Minsk agreements.

“If someone thinks that it is possible to treat our people and what is happening on their borders with such indifference, then we will not allow such things to happen,” the Russian leader asserted. He added that accusations of war crimes are attempts to shift the responsibility for the ongoing conflict onto Russia.

During the same press conference, Putin stated that following the withdrawal of Russian troops from Kyiv in 2022, Ukraine chose to continue military operations, adhering to the principle of “either they will not turn our heads, or we will turn theirs.” He characterized the withdrawal of Russian forces from the Kyiv region in the spring of 2022 as a gesture of goodwill to facilitate negotiations. However, he claimed that instead of pursuing a peaceful settlement, Ukrainian authorities opted for escalation, exacerbating the situation.

As of the time of publication, there have been no official comments from the Ukrainian government regarding Putin’s statements.