As Ukraine celebrated Independence Day on August 24, Moscow signalled new hurdles to peace negotiations. In an interview with NBC News, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the Kremlin would not accept President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s signature on any future peace agreement, casting doubt on the Ukrainian leader’s legitimacy.
The remarks come amid speculation over a possible meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy. But Lavrov said the agenda for such a summit is “not ready at all,” adding that Russia requires a clear “presidential agenda” before talks can proceed.
Russia has long said it is open to dialogue, but has also put forward preconditions such as Ukraine abandoning its NATO bid, making territorial concessions, and restoring protections for the Russian language. Critics argue these demands leave little room for compromise, recalling the failed 2022 Istanbul talks when Moscow escalated its conditions after initial discussions.
Central to the latest deadlock is Lavrov’s assertion that Zelenskyy is no longer constitutionally legitimate. “When we come to the stage where you have to sign documents, we would need a very clear understanding by everybody that the person who is signing is legitimate,” he said.
Ukraine, however, maintains that Zelenskyy remains in office under martial law, which prevents elections during wartime. The Ukrainian parliament reaffirmed his mandate in 2024, and Kyiv’s allies—including the European Union and the United Kingdom—continue to recognise him as the country’s lawful president.
The dispute highlights the core challenge of any future negotiations: whether Moscow would accept Zelenskyy—or any Ukrainian leader—as an authorised counterpart. By questioning his authority, Russia creates grounds to contest or delay a potential settlement, while Kyiv insists that only Zelenskyy can speak for Ukraine.
For now, peace talks remain out of reach, with both sides framing conditions that keep the conflict’s diplomatic path at an impasse.
(This article was written by Tisya Sharma, she is an intern at StratNews Global)
