Russian President, Vladimir Putin has signaled a willingness to engage in peace talks with Ukraine but ruled out direct negotiations with President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he described as “illegitimate.”
Zelensky swiftly responded, accusing Putin of avoiding negotiations and using “cynical tricks” to extend the nearly three-year war.
The Ukrainian leader insisted that genuine peace was possible, but he claimed the Kremlin was obstructing efforts to end the conflict.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has been pressuring both sides to halt hostilities since taking office on January 20.
He has threatened tougher sanctions on Russia while asserting that Zelensky is ready to negotiate a settlement.
“If Zelensky wants to participate in negotiations, I will assign representatives to take part,” Putin said.
He argued that the Ukrainian president’s legitimacy had expired due to martial law, suggesting that alternative representatives could engage in talks.
Zelensky, in a post on X, said Putin was “afraid of strong leaders” and was deliberately prolonging the war.
Kyiv has also warned against being sidelined in any direct negotiations between Russia and the U.S., accusing Moscow of trying to manipulate Trump.
Putin also claimed that if Western military and financial support for Ukraine were halted, the war would end within two months.
“They won’t last a month without money and ammunition. Everything would be over in a month and a half or two,” he stated in an interview with Russian state media.
Despite Trump’s pledge to broker a swift ceasefire, the war continues to escalate.
On Wednesday, Russia said it had intercepted over 100 Ukrainian drones overnight, while Kyiv reported a Russian drone strike of its own.
Moscow also announced territorial gains, claiming its forces had captured the village of Dvorichna in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region.
The village, once under Russian control in 2022 before being reclaimed by Ukraine, is seen as a strategic position near the Oskil River.
Additionally, Ukrainian military analysts reported that Russian troops were advancing on the outskirts of Chasiv Yar, a key hilltop town that housed around 12,000 residents before the war.
Ukraine’s army has struggled in recent months, facing ammunition shortages and being outgunned by Russian forces along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) frontline.
In response, Kyiv dismissed a deputy defense minister responsible for weapons procurement, after the defense minister accused him of failing to secure the timely supply of ammunition for troops.
