Lavrov Says Putin Ready To Meet Zelenskyy, But Doubts His Legitimacy As Ukraine's President

Last Updated:August 24, 2025, 21:28 IST

Sergey Lavrov stated Vladimir Putin is open to talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy but questioned Zelenskyy’s legitimacy, as Kyiv insists he remains Ukraine’s leader under martial law.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Sunday that President Vladimir Putin is willing to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but cast doubt on Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s leader.

Speaking to Russian state-run press RT, Lavrov claimed that any negotiations would require clarity on the authority of the person signing an agreement. “When we come to a stage where you have to sign documents, we’d need a clear understanding that the person who’s signing is legitimate. According to the Ukrainian constitution, Zelenskyy is not," he said.

Moscow has frequently questioned Zelenskyy’s status since his five-year presidential term formally ended in May. Kyiv maintains that Zelenskyy remains the legitimate head of state under martial law provisions, which extend presidential powers during wartime.

Moscow, Russia

News world Lavrov Says Putin Ready To Meet Zelenskyy, But Doubts His Legitimacy As Ukraine's President

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