Kremlin Reopens Door to Talks with Ukraine While Zelenskiy is in Power, but Demands Clarity
In a surprise development, the Kremlin announced on Wednesday that Russia is willing to engage in talks with Ukraine as long as Volodymyr Zelenskiy remains in power as Ukraine’s president. However, Moscow demanded that Kiev provide more concrete information about the parameters of such discussions, suggesting that the door is open for talks but only under favorable circumstances.
The announcement came amidst renewed tensions between the two countries, with reports of a significant build-up of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border fueling concerns of a potential invasion. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov revealed that Moscow is willing to listen to Zelenskiy’s proposal for negotiations, provided that the Ukrainian president provides clear guidelines on the issues that Kiev is willing to address.
According to Peskov, Russia wants to know what specific topics are up for discussion, including the status of Russian-language television broadcasts in Ukraine and the activities of the Ukrainian military in eastern Donbass. Moscow has repeatedly expressed frustration over what it claims are Ukraine’s failure to uphold agreements related to the conflict in the region, such as the Minsk accords.
"We are always ready for negotiations and willing to listen to Mr. Zelenskiy’s proposal. But we need to know what concrete topics will be discussed and what solutions he is willing to offer," Peskov said. "Russia cannot negotiate with Ukraine simply out of goodwill. There needs to be a clear understanding of the parameters and scope of such talks."
The Kremlin’s openness to talks has been met with skepticism in Kiev, where many officials have accused Moscow of trying to divide the country further by stoking nationalism. Zelenskiy has recently pledged to continue pursuing peace efforts, including negotiations with Russia, despite opposition from some political forces.
"Russia has no moral right to demand negotiations under these conditions," said Oleksiy Honcharuk, a senior aide to Zelenskiy. "They should return Crimea to Ukraine and withdraw their forces from the borders before we even begin discussing other issues."
Ukrainian officials have pointed out that Russia’s actions have already caused significant humanitarian consequences in eastern Ukraine, with numerous human rights abuses and displacements of civilians reported in recent years. As a result, they believe that Russia should prioritize de-escalation and concessions rather than demanding further negotiations without meaningful commitments.
Despite these doubts, many experts believe that Zelenskiy’s willingness to engage with Moscow is a necessary step towards calming the region’s volatile situation. They note that even a limited agreement could provide much-needed relief to conflict-stricken areas and help alleviate some of the pressure on Kiev.
"For now, it’s up to Russia to prove that they are willing to work in good faith," said Andrew Bowen, a Russia analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "Zelenskiy needs to tread carefully to ensure that Ukraine’s interests are represented in any talks, but this offer does present an opportunity to push the ball forward and potentially unlock progress."