Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Putin's U-turn on Ukraine after Trump's request

Johan Edgar

Published 00.19

 

Photo: Mikhail Metzel / AP

He has repeatedly said that he refuses.

But now it sounds different.

And it is said to be a way to prepare the people for peace negotiations.

It is in an interview with a Russian journalist that Putin is now suddenly turning his back on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj.

Earlier this winter, Putin dismissed the possibility of direct negotiations between the leaders.

Suddenly admits

He has repeatedly called Zelenskyj an illegitimate representative of Ukraine because his term has expired and a new presidential election has been postponed.

The Ukrainian president said at the time that Putin's statements "confirmed that he is afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders and doing everything to prolong the war," writes Newsweek.

But in the interview, Putin now recognizes Zelensky as the legal president and says that it is Ukraine's martial law that has stopped a new election during the ongoing armed conflict.

Putin now recognizes Zelensky as the legitimate president. Photo: Evgeniy Maloletka / AP

Preparing the people

The think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) writes in its latest analysis of the war that Donald Trump has demanded that Putin and Zelensky sit down at the negotiating table.

And that Putin's turn is likely a way to explain to the people why, despite his previous statements, he may sit down in such negotiations.

ISW writes that the Russian president has also changed his way of talking about the Ukrainian leadership - but with the same ultimate goal of regime change in Kiev.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, Putin has said that the country needs to be "denazified" by replacing the leadership.

Donald Trump reportedly demanded that Putin and Zelensky sit at the negotiating table, according to ISW Photo: AP

Wants regime change

In the latest interview, the president instead says that  Russia “has nothing against an independent Ukraine”.

But he also says that he wants to see a Ukraine that is “a friendly neighbor” and that the country’s territory “should not be used for attacks on Russia in the future”.

According to ISW, “it seems to be a new way of expressing the same demand”. Putin has been demanding regime change in Ukraine since 2021.

The fact that Putin now calls Zelensky a legitimate president does not mean that he has any kind words for him.

In the interview, he says that he is “toxic” to Ukrainian society and the military and that Zelensky would lose a new presidential election no matter who his opponent is.