• The Russia-Ukraine war has entered its third year, with negotiations hindered by both sides’ entrenched positions.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s 2022 decree prohibiting talks with Russia complicates diplomatic efforts.
• Zelensky’s term expired in 2024 without new elections, casting doubt on his authority to negotiate peace.
• Putin insists on recognizing Russia’s control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as a prerequisite for peace.
• Both sides accuse each other and the West of undermining peace efforts, prolonging the conflict.

As the Russia-Ukraine war drags into its third year, the prospect of peace negotiations remains elusive, with both sides entrenched in their positions. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed a willingness to negotiate, but two significant obstacles stand in the way.

First, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree in 2022 banning talks with Moscow. Second, Zelensky’s presidential term in 2024 expired and Kyiv didn’t hold elections to replace him. These factors, coupled with accusations of manipulation from both sides, have created a diplomatic stalemate that threatens to prolong the conflict.

In a recent state broadcast interview, Putin pointed out that Ukraine’s decree outlawing peace talks with Russia complicates matters. Before any meaningful negotiations could begin, Zelensky would need to revoke the ban.

But repealing the prohibition is just the first step – as Zelensky’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s leader is in question. Given this, the Russian leader said the comedian-turned-chief executive “does not have the right to sign anything.”

According to Putin, Zelensky’s five-year presidential term ended in 2024 and his authority should have been transferred to the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s parliament) – currently Ruslan Stefanchuk. However, Zelensky has remained in office, citing martial law as justification for canceling elections. (Related: Permanent dictator: Zelensky declares NO MORE ELECTIONS in Ukraine until war ends.)

“If [Zelensky] wants to take part in negotiations, I will select such people. It’s not an issue. The question is about the final signing of the documents,” Putin said.

“If there is a desire, any legal question can be resolved. So far, we simply don’t see such a desire.”

The Kremlin has also made it clear that any peace deal must recognize Russia’s control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which it claims were absorbed into Russia following referendums in 2022. Putin reiterated Moscow’s uncompromising position on the matter: “Leave these territories, and that’s it, that’s where it ends. No fighting, no war.”

The complex road to ending the Ukraine conflict

Putin has pointed to the West’s role in sabotaging earlier peace efforts, particularly the 2022 Istanbul peace talks. He revealed that Russia had agreed to a draft treaty based on Ukrainian proposals, only for the deal to be scuttled after then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Zelensky to continue fighting.

“For us, it was clear in principle that deception was a serious risk,” the Russian president said, accusing the West of undermining peace efforts to prolong the conflict.

Amid these diplomatic hurdles, Zelensky accused Putin of attempting to manipulate U.S. President Donald Trump’s desire for peace. In his evening address on Friday, Jan. 24, Zelensky claimed Putin “wants to manipulate the desire of the President of the United States of America to achieve peace.

“I am confident that no Russian manipulations will succeed anymore,” the Ukrainian leader continued. However, critics argue that Zelensky himself is engaging in manipulation by leveraging Western support to prolong the conflict rather than pursuing serious negotiations.

The Ukrainian president has consistently sought military aid from the West, framing the war as a battle for democracy against Russian aggression. Yet, his refusal to engage in talks and his reliance on foreign sponsorship have raised questions about his commitment to a peaceful resolution.

As the war grinds on, the prospects for peace remain uncertain. Putin’s insistence on recognizing Russia’s territorial gains and Zelensky’s refusal to negotiate under current conditions have created a deadlock. Ultimately, the path to peace will require both sides to make difficult concessions.

For Putin, this may mean softening his stance on Ukraine’s territorial integrity. For Zelensky, it could involve lifting the ban on negotiations and addressing questions about his legitimacy. Until then, the war will continue to exact a heavy toll on both nations, with no end in sight.

Watch this clip of Russian President Vladimir Putin issuing a new set of conditions before talks between Moscow and Kyiv could begin.

This video is from the Cynthia’s Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Poll: Majority of Ukrainians want peace negotiations to end war with Russia.

Putin reportedly willing to end war with Ukraine, sit down for PEACE TALKS.

Kuleba: Russia will eventually have to be involved in peace talks with Ukraine.

Zelensky’s presidential term has EXPIRED, but he still remains as Ukraine’s de facto chief executive.

Putin signals readiness for peace talks with Trump but stresses unchanged demands for ending Ukraine conflict.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

SputnikGlobe.com

Newsweek.com

Brighteon.com