Moscow, 18 February – Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to negotiate with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “if necessary,” the Kremlin said Tuesday, while also questioning Zelensky’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s leader.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Putin remains open to talks but stressed the need for a “clear legal foundation” for any agreements, citing doubts over Zelensky’s authority. “The legal basis of agreements needs discussion, considering the reality that Zelensky’s legitimacy can be questioned,” Peskov said.
US-Russia Talks Exclude Ukraine
Earlier Tuesday, senior US and Russian diplomats met in Saudi Arabia to discuss diplomatic ties and efforts to end the nearly three-year war in Ukraine—a move that signals a shift in American foreign policy under President Donald Trump.
No Ukrainian officials attended the meeting. Zelensky dismissed the talks, stating Kyiv would not accept any outcome from discussions it was not part of. European allies have also raised concerns about being sidelined.
Russia Escalates Attacks
Even as diplomatic discussions continued, Russian forces intensified their assault on Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russian troops launched 176 drones overnight, most of which were intercepted.
One drone struck a residential building in Dolynska, Kirovohrad region, injuring a mother and her two children and forcing the evacuation of 38 apartments, regional officials said. Drone debris also damaged four residential buildings in the Cherkasy region.
