By Web Desk International SCN
On a visit to his Belarusian ally, Putin questions Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s leader
TALLINN, Estonia (SCN) — Russian President Vladimir Putin visited his Belarusian counterpart and close ally for talks Friday in Minsk, after which he questioned whether Volodymyr Zelenskyy has the legitimacy to negotiate on Ukraine’s behalf.
Russia is willing to hold talks about the war in Ukraine, Putin said, but Zelenskyy’s five-year term in office was supposed to end May 20.
However, Zelenskyy has ruled out holding new presidential elections while his country is at war — something Putin apparently ignored in remarks to reporters.
Ukrainian legislation bans elections during martial law that has been in place since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022. The country would have to amend the law to elections during a state of war.
Russian officials have repeatedly called attention to the question of Zelenskyy’s term in office during the past week.
Of course, we are aware that the legitimacy of the current head of state has ended,” Putin said at a news conference in Minsk after talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
“We must be completely sure that we are dealing with legitimate authorities,” said Putin, who has repeatedly stated that Russia is ready for talks with Ukraine.