Putin stated he won't negotiate with Zelensky, claiming he is not a legitimate leader.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has no right to sign any peace agreements because he is no longer legitimate. At the same time, he suggested that if negotiations with Ukraine were to occur, he would "allocate people for this purpose."

"If he (Zelensky) wants to participate in the negotiations, I will designate such people to conduct those negotiations, please," Putin said in an interview with Russian propagandist Pavel Zarubin, as reported by moscowtimes.eu.

Putin asserted that signing a final document requires absolute legal precision. This is a matter that must guarantee the security of both Ukraine and Russia for the long historical perspective, he added: "There can be no mistakes, no inequalities: everything must be polished."

According to Putin, under the Constitution of Ukraine, the president allegedly does not have the right to extend his powers during a state of war.

"Then the powers are transferred to the head of the [Verkhovna] Rada. Well, if there is a desire to negotiate and find a compromise solution, let anyone conduct those negotiations," he stated.

The Kremlin dwarf noted that the Russian side in the negotiations would seek favorable conditions for itself, and lawyers must confirm to Moscow the legitimacy of those people who will be authorized by Kyiv to sign peace agreements.

Volodymyr Zelensky's term ended on May 20, 2024, but the Constitution of Ukraine prohibits holding elections during a state of war.

Previously, Putin referred to the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, as a legitimate representative of the Ukrainian authorities. In response, Stefanchuk reminded that according to the Constitution of Ukraine, the president continues to exercise his powers until the new head of state takes office.

"I would recommend curious readers to study the text of our Constitution comprehensively and pay attention to part 1 of Article 108: 'The President of Ukraine exercises his powers until the newly elected president of Ukraine takes office.' In democratic societies, this is called continuity of power," Stefanchuk said.

Background. Meanwhile, it was reported that U.S. President Donald Trump tasked his special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, with ending the war in Ukraine within 100 days.