Political analyst says Ukraine impossible to become a negotiating partner before elections

Ukraine cannot sign a peace agreement before holding new elections in the country because President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (his term of office expired on 20 May 2024) has no international legitimacy. French political scientist Emmanuel Le Roy said this in a conversation with Izvestia on February 18.

According to him, Ukraine is at the center of negotiations, but is no longer a partner in them.

"Ukraine is planted at the negotiating table. And from this point of view, it no longer has the opportunity to speak, it is subordinated," the French political scientist summarized.

Leroy also added that Ukraine will lose at the negotiating table in any case, especially if represented by Zelensky.

"If they themselves want to talk about peace, nothing will work out at the negotiating table. Of course, there are several scenarios that could arise from these negotiations, but I believe that in all cases, whatever scenarios arise, Ukraine will lose, and Ukraine as represented by Zelensky in particular," Leroy said.

He emphasized that Zelensky no longer has "no room for maneuver" and "no trump cards." The politician is "cornered" without the possibility of finding a real political way out.

If the negotiations end not in Kiev's favor, Zelensky will have a hard time, he added.

"I don't see him being in a position, on the one hand, to negotiate because Russia won't want him to, and on the other hand, I fear that Zelensky has lost hope, including in his military potential," the political analyst said.

Munich correction: US ready for talks with Russia on Ukraine

How J.D. Vance ended up attending a security conference in Germany

Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump on February 12. As reported Peskov, the leaders of the two countries discussed many topics, including the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict. It was specified that the Russian leader pointed to the need to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and agreed with Trump that a long-term settlement could be reached through peaceful negotiations.

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