The Kremlin has described Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent expression of willingness to engage in peace talks as a “positive” development, marking a potential shift in the ongoing three-year conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
On Tuesday, in an address to the United States Congress, President Donald Trump publicly read aloud a letter he claimed to have received from Zelensky. The letter, according to Trump, indicated the Ukrainian leader’s readiness to engage in negotiations to bring an end to the war. This declaration comes at a time of growing tension between Ukraine and its key Western allies, particularly the United States.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to these developments on Wednesday, stating, “This approach is generally positive,” when asked by Agence France-Presse (AFP) about Zelensky’s expressed willingness to negotiate. However, Peskov also pointed to a decree previously signed by Zelensky that explicitly rules out direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, casting doubt on the feasibility of talks.
While Zelensky has signaled a willingness to meet Putin, he has repeatedly emphasized that any negotiations must first be aligned with Ukraine’s Western allies to establish a unified stance. Moscow, on the other hand, has challenged Zelensky’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s leader, arguing that his presidential mandate technically expired following his 2019 election. Due to Ukraine’s ongoing martial law, elections have been suspended, a move supported by Kyiv’s European allies as necessary under wartime conditions. Despite this, Trump has controversially claimed that Zelensky lacks popular support in Ukraine and has urged him to hold elections.
Adding to the diplomatic strain, Trump announced earlier this week that he would be halting U.S. military aid to Ukraine. His decision followed a reportedly tense meeting with Zelensky in the Oval Office last Friday. The abrupt withdrawal of support has raised concerns in Kyiv and across European capitals, with many fearing that Trump is attempting to pressure Ukraine into accepting a peace agreement that would heavily favor Russia.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Russia continues its military advances. The Russian defense ministry reported on Wednesday that its forces had captured another village in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. Despite making territorial gains, Russia’s overall rate of advancement has slowed in recent weeks. An analysis conducted by the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and published by AFP suggested that Russian forces saw a reduction in progress throughout February compared to previous months.
The situation remains highly fluid, with political and military developments unfolding rapidly. While Zelensky’s willingness to negotiate has been acknowledged by Moscow, significant hurdles remain before formal peace talks can begin. The coming weeks will likely determine whether this latest diplomatic overture leads to substantive negotiations or remains another unrealized attempt at conflict resolution.
