Putin challenges Zelensky's authority and opens an unexpected door for Ukraine

Vladimir Putin has questioned Volodymyr Zelensky's legitimacy as President and his ability to negotiate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. According to the Russian leader, Zelensky's term in office expired in May 2024, which, in his opinion, disqualifies him from signing any pact.

Since the start of the war in 2022, tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been on the rise. The ban on elections in Ukraine due to martial law has raised questions about the legitimacy of the current leadership, adding a new factor of uncertainty to the conflict.

Vladimir Putin has said that Volodymyr Zelensky has no right to sign a peace deal due to his alleged illegitimacy. "He has no right to sign anything," the Russian leader said, suggesting that the speaker of the Ukrainian parliament could take on the role of negotiator on Ukraine's behalf, according to France24.

"If [Zelensky] wants to take part in the negotiations, I will send representatives for that," Vladimir Putin said in an interview with state television journalist Pavel Zarubin, according to The Moscow Times.

"If there is a willingness to negotiate and reach a compromise, then whoever wants to lead the talks... Naturally, we will look for what benefits us and responds to our interests," the Russian president added.

Vladimir Putin's claims about Volodymyr Zelensky's alleged illegitimacy add a new obstacle to peace negotiations.

Zelensky rejected Vladimir Putin's claims, saying they were part of a strategy to prolong the conflict. "Putin is afraid of negotiations," the Ukrainian president said, accusing him of wanting to wage "an endless war," according to the EFE news agency.

According to the same source, he added that “there is now a chance to achieve genuine peace” accusing Putin of “doing everything in his power to continue large-scale killings or to get a pause to continue his hybrid attacks while he prepares for a new large-scale invasion.”

Meanwhile, Russian anti-aircraft forces shot down more than 130 Ukrainian drones on the night of January 28, 2025, affecting nine regions of the country.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, almost half of the drones were shot down over the Kursk region, which has been partially under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces since August. Twenty-seven drones were also reported shot down in the neighboring Bryansk region and 11 more in the Smolensk area, near Belarus, EFE reported.

Among the downed drones, one caused a fire at a petrochemical plant in Russia, local authorities said. Despite material damage, no casualties were reported. The governor of Bryansk, Alexander Bogomaz, updated the toll, confirming the destruction of 33 drones in his region.

According to Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky's mandate expired in May 2024 and his continued rule of power has no legal validity. He argues that the Ukrainian Constitution does not provide for the extension of the presidential mandate in the event of martial law, which reinforces his position of not recognizing him as head of state.

However, Kyiv is defending the continuation of Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming that the exceptional situation justifies his remaining in power.

Vladimir Putin's arguments are based on constitutional interpretations of presidential rule in Ukraine. Many experts argue that the exceptional context of the war justifies Volodymyr Zelensky's continued power, supporting his legitimacy to lead the country and negotiate agreements.

Despite the tensions, both Russia and Ukraine have occasionally expressed their willingness to engage in dialogue, but the conditions imposed by both sides remain a major obstacle, hampering progress towards a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Since his inauguration last week, US President Donald Trump has stepped up pressure on both sides to end the war. He has threatened to tighten sanctions against Russia, while saying Volodymyr Zelensky is willing to negotiate a “deal,” according to The Moscow Times.

The same source also reported that Ukraine has warned of the risk of being excluded from possible peace negotiations between Moscow and Washington and has accused Vladimir Putin of trying to "manipulate" Donald Trump to impose his conditions in the conflict.

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