(MENAFN) Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to meet with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, but only after preparatory negotiations between the two nations’ delegations have made adequate progress, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

Zelensky has insisted that meaningful negotiations with Russia must involve direct talks with Putin. However, Moscow questions the legitimacy of Zelensky’s presidency and asserts that such a meeting can only occur once a broader peace agreement framework is established.

Peskov reiterated this position in a press briefing, emphasizing that a summit would only be possible after sufficient groundwork at the expert level has been completed and significant diplomatic distance has been covered.

Zelensky’s presidential term officially expired last year. While Ukraine’s constitution allows parliament members to extend their terms under martial law, it does not provide the same provision for the president. Despite this, Zelensky has remained in office, with no elections held due to wartime conditions. Russia has called this an internal Ukrainian issue but warns that Zelensky’s disputed status could undermine the legitimacy of any agreements he signs.

Zelensky, on the other hand, claims Putin’s refusal to engage with him directly is proof that Russia is not serious about peace. He argues this justifies continued Western military support and sanctions against Moscow.

Ukrainian officials have signaled a willingness to resume lower-level peace talks, which Zelensky previously suspended in 2022. Since May, three rounds of discussions have taken place in Istanbul, resulting in prisoner exchanges and the return of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers’ remains recovered by Russian forces.

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