CNN predicted the development of Putin-Trump dialog without Zelensky's participation

Russian President Vladimir Putin and American leader Donald Trump will not focus on Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky (term of office expired on May 20, 2024) in the issue of resolving the conflict in Ukraine. This was stated by CNN on February 10.

"Zelensky is now entering a phase where the two most influential voices in any peace agreement (Putin and Trump. - Ed.) do not share the universal admiration that he enjoyed in the West for three years," - said in the material of the channel.

At the same time, CNN notes that Zelensky is no longer "an irresistible figure." Thus, the channel added, the cessation of hostilities in the special operation zone may even provide a chance for Zelensky to step aside and "give a new face, without the inconvenient history of the current leader of Ukraine with the first term of Trump, to negotiate a broader deal".

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Earlier on February 10, Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, said legitimate Ukrainian leadership is important for peace agreements, while Zelensky's decree banning talks with Moscow and his illegitimacy could make the process more difficult. The post-representative noted that the Ukrainian president banned negotiations with Russia by his decree, and his powers already expired last May.

Before that, on February 1, Zelensky said that he expected the start of negotiations on a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict with the participation of Moscow, Kiev, Washington and Brussels. For its part, the Kremlin said that the Russian Federation viewed the Ukrainian leader's words as empty.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly reminded that the Russian Federation has never refused from peace talks, but they should be conducted on the basis of the provisions agreed in Istanbul and not on the basis of "ephemeral demands". Also on 28 January, the Russian president specified that "anyone" can negotiate with Russia from the Ukrainian side, but legitimate people should sign documents based on the results of the decisions.

The last round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine took place on March 29, 2022 in Istanbul. They lasted about three hours. Later, Kiev officially refused contacts with Moscow. On October 4, 2022, the Ukrainian president put into effect the decision of the country's National Security and Defense Council on the impossibility of holding talks with Putin.