Putin shifts rhetoric about Zelensky’s legitimacy, report claims

Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to have shifted his views about the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky according to a recent statement. 

Putin has often stated that Zelensky is not the legitimate President of Ukraine, including recent comments he made in January 2025 when he ruled out a ceasefire. "Negotiations can be held with anyone," Putin said on January 28th during an interview with the Russian state-run TV channel Rossiya 1 according to The Kyiv Independent. 

"But due to [Zelensky's] illegitimacy, he has no right to sign anything,” Putin continued. “If [Zelensky's] wants to take part in talks, I will delegate people who will conduct such talks. But the [key] issue is the ultimate signing of the documents."

The Kyiv Independent noted at the time that Russia has long claimed that Zelensky is illegitimate as part of its propaganda in order to discredit his government. However, it appears that Putin’s views have shifted in recent weeks. 

While speaking to Russian state news journalist Pavel Zarubin on February 24th, Putin appeared to implicitly acknowledge Volodymyr Zelensky as the legitimate President of Ukraine according to a report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).  

Putin said during his interview with Zarubin that "elections in Ukraine are not held under the pretext of martial law.” ISW noted it was the first time that Putin has acknowledged that Ukraine’s constitution prohibits any elections when the country is under martial law. 

ISW assessed that Putin’s comments could be part of a plan to shift Moscow’s rhetoric about Zelensky as a way for the Kremlin “to explain to Russian domestic audiences his decision to engage in any future negotiations with Zelensky.”

Donald Trump may be to thank for Putin’s rhetorical shift since he has stated that Putin and Zelensky must engage in negotiations. However, despite Putin’s shift on Zelensky, he was still clear that the Ukrainian President wasn’t good for his country. 

Putin also claimed Zelensky was “toxic” for Ukrainian society and the military, adding that he would lose any future election to another Ukrainian political or military leader. 

The ISW report explained, “Putin's claims that Zelensky is unpopular and harmful to Ukraine are attempts to drive a wedge between the legitimate government of Ukraine and the Ukrainian military and population.”

“Putin attempted to use new language to repackage the calls for regime change” similar to his demands in 2021 according to the ISW report, which noted Putin stated he had no issue with Ukraine preserving its statehood but that he wanted a friendly neighbor. 

The Russian President also stated that Ukraine could "not be used as a springboard for an attack against Russia,” which the ISW noted likely means Putin still wants to see a pro-Kremlin government installed in Ukraine. 

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