The Kremlin does not recognize Zelensky, but for the sake of Trump they are ready for dialogue — NYT

US President Donald Trump is initiating direct talks between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, despite the Russian dictator openly disparaging the Ukrainian leader and refusing to give his name. The Kremlin considers Zelensky “illegitimate” and Russian propagandists regularly discredit him in the public sphere.

This was reported by The New York Times, citing its own sources and expert assessments regarding potential peace talks initiated by Trump.

According to the NYT, Trump has already announced his intention to organize a personal meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine to end the war. However, for Putin, such a meeting could be politically toxic – in Moscow it is still called “unworthy.” However, according to analysts, if Trump convinces Zelensky to make concessions, the Kremlin will be able to present the result as a diplomatic victory.

State Duma deputy Konstantin Zatulin said that a meeting with Zelensky could take place as an “exception” in support of Trump’s peace initiative. According to him, some Russian officials are categorically against any contacts with Zelensky due to their refusal to recognize his legitimacy, but Zatulin himself admits: “The stakes are too high to dismiss any possibility.”

Despite this, many experts are skeptical about the chances of real negotiations. St. Petersburg political scientist Grigory Golosov is convinced that Putin will agree to a meeting only if it is framed as Ukraine’s surrender or admission of defeat.

The NYT adds that after Trump’s recent meeting with Zelensky at the White House, Kremlin media outlets have stepped up their mockery of the Ukrainian president. Propaganda campaigner Olga Skabeeva, in particular, called Zelensky a “schoolboy” with “awkward English.”

However, experts predict that if Putin sees real benefits in the negotiations, the Kremlin’s rhetoric could change instantly. As Moscow analyst Mikhail Vinogradov explains, Russian society is already accustomed to sharp changes in the information background and is unlikely to stand in the way of any scenario – even one that was considered impossible yesterday.

It should be noted that a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin could take place in the coming weeks. According to European diplomatic sources, Hungary is being considered as a potential venue for the talks.

As is known, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow allegedly did not set itself the goal of seizing Ukrainian territories, but unleashed a full-scale war to “protect the Russian people.”

Moreover, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin continues to avoid any real guarantees that would prevent a new invasion of Ukraine. Instead , Moscow consistently seeks to destroy Western unity, oust Kyiv from the international support system, and divide the United States and Europe.

Recall that Russia seeks not just to seize part of Ukraine, but to establish complete control over the entire country and remove the democratically elected government, replacing it with a pro-Russian one.

As reported, European leaders doubt the sincerity of Vladimir Putin’s intentions for peace, but support US President Donald Trump’s initiative to hold negotiations.

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