Putin claims Russia ready for Ukraine peace talks, questions legitimacy under Zelensky's decree

Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters on Jan. 24 that Russia is ready for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on ending the war in Ukraine.

“Regarding negotiations, we have always said — and I want to emphasize this again — that we are ready for talks on the Ukrainian issue (Russia’s full-scale invasion),” Putin said.

However, Putin moved quickly to point out a decree signed by President Zelensky after Russia illegally annexed four Ukrainian regions, which declared negotiations with Putin “impossible” while leaving the door open to discussions with Russia under different leadership.

“How can negotiations be resumed if they are officially banned?” Putin asked. He emphasized that Russia has “never refused contact” with the U.S. administration and maintained a “pragmatic and trusting” relationship with Trump.

Zelensky’s 2022 decree followed Russia’s annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, actions condemned as illegitimate by the international community.

The move reflected Ukraine’s refusal to engage with Moscow while Putin remains in power, underscoring Kyiv’s position that peace negotiations must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

‘Utter bulls***’ — Ukraine rejects Russia’s demand to abandon NATO membership promise

The response comes after Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko criticized NATO’s 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration, calling it “catastrophic for European security.”

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy