Kremlin Signals Openness to Negotiations with Ukraine Amid Ongoing War

The Kremlin has expressed a willingness to engage in negotiations with Ukraine, albeit with significant clarifications needed. This statement was made by Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin’s press secretary, during a press briefing on Thursday in Moscow.

Commenting on the potential for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Peskov raised the legal questions surrounding Zelensky’s legitimacy.

“From a legal point of view, this problem (of his legitimacy) is on the agenda, but from a practical point of view we are open to achieving our goals through negotiations,” Interfax quoted Peskov as saying. “Therefore, different options are possible here.” 

The Kremlin’s stance raises questions about the legitimacy of Zelensky’s presidency alleging that his mandate ended in May and highlights existing legal prohibitions on direct talks between Ukraine and Russia.

“There’s still a lot to be clarified here,” Peskov added, stressing the uncertainty surrounding the possibility of peace talks.

Despite these complexities, Peskov underscored Russia’s general openness to the negotiation process.

“Russia is generally open to a negotiation process. But first, we have to understand how ready the Ukrainian side is for this and how much the Ukrainian side has permission for this from its handlers,” he said, suggesting Ukraine’s decisions are influenced by external powers, particularly the United States.

This development follows Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba’s remarks during his visit to China, where he expressed Kyiv’s readiness to negotiate if Moscow shows “good faith.” The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry clarified that Kuleba’s comments indicated a willingness to dialogue, provided Russia is genuinely prepared for fair negotiations.

Kuleba criticized Russian aggression for destroying peace and hindering development, stressing the need to end the conflict, restore peace, and rebuild Ukraine. He is the highest-ranking Ukrainian official to visit China since Russia’s “special military operation” began in February 2022. China has maintained an official stance of neutrality in the war but has strengthened its economic and diplomatic ties with Russia.

Meanwhile, Kyiv is planning to organize a second global peace summit before the US presidential election in November 2024, aiming to formulate a new peace plan based on President Zelensky’s 10-point proposal. The previous summit in June concluded with a joint communiqué, though key nations from the Global South and BRICS did not sign.

President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia is willing to end the conflict, but only if Ukraine abandons its NATO ambitions and hands over the four regions claimed by Moscow. Ukraine has rejected these demands, equating them to a surrender.

Russia currently occupies nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory. Kyiv is determined to reclaim all occupied areas, insisting that peace can only be achieved if Russia withdraws its forces and Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored.