Road That Leads to Nowhere: Putin Says Zelensky Talks Possible But Doubts His Legitimacy, Rejects Land-for-Peace Deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he is open to direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but questioned the Ukrainian leader’s constitutional legitimacy and rejected any notion of territorial concessions in exchange for security guarantees.
Speaking to Russian and international media at the close of his four-day official visit to China, Putin dismissed as “false framing” the idea of a "land-for-peace" formula that would see Russia give up or secure territory in exchange for broader diplomatic settlements.
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| Image Source: The Spectator Index |
Putin’s remarks came just days after trilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and amid public signs of a shifting diplomatic atmosphere following private discussions with former U.S. President Donald Trump during their Alaska summit.
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On the possibility of direct negotiations with Zelensky, Putin said the door is not closed but argued that Ukraine’s constitutional framework does not allow for the current president to remain in office beyond his term under martial law.
He cited the Ukrainian constitution’s lack of provisions for term extensions and noted that elections and referenda -- necessary for legitimizing any new mandate -- cannot be held under emergency rule.
“Meeting with the current head of the administration -- let us put it mildly -- is a road that leads nowhere,” Putin said, pointing to the lack of quorum in Ukraine’s constitutional court and alleging political interference in judicial processes.
Still, Putin acknowledged Trump’s personal request that he consider holding talks with Zelensky and said such a meeting could happen — if structured properly.
“I told (Trump) it was possible… If Zelensky is ready, he can come to Moscow,” he said.
On the battlefield, Putin claimed that Russian forces are advancing “in all directions,” while Ukrainian forces are under pressure, rotating their most capable brigades across strained fronts.
He added that Russian analysts believe Kyiv lacks sufficient reserves to launch any major new offensives, but cautioned that combat remains “difficult and cruel.”
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“Multipolarity does not mean the emergence of new hegemons… all should be on equal footing under international law,” he said, referencing SCO and BRICS norms.
Asked about European Union discussions over transferring frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, Putin condemned the idea as financially reckless.
“Even now, alliances are forming in many regions trying to implement their own economic growth plans. This would ruin the principles of international financial activity and destroy the overall global economic order,” he warned.
▶️ Putin’s Message to World After Visit to China: Full Press Conference 👇 pic.twitter.com/573gFFpB42
— Sputnik Africa (@sputnik_africa) September 3, 2025
Putin also dismissed comments made by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had earlier in the day called the Russian president “perhaps the most serious war criminal of our time.”
Putin characterized the remark as “an unsuccessful attempt to shift blame” for the war in Ukraine onto Moscow, and reiterated that it was the West’s backing of the 2014 coup in Kyiv that sparked the conflict.
The Q&A session capped a packed visit to Beijing that included the signing of over 20 cooperation agreements between China and Russia -- spanning energy, AI, space, agriculture and currency settlements -- and the announcement of progress on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline.
Earlier in the day, Putin stood with Xi and Kim Jong-un at a massive military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.