Russia Must Engage in Talks With Zelenskyy Despite Putin’s Rejection of His Legitimacy, Kellog Says

Russian leader Vladimir Putin must engage in direct negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to bring an end to the war, despite his refusal to recognize the Ukrainian leader’s legitimacy, said US presidential envoy Keith Kellogg, according to German media outlet Tagesschau on February 14, ahead of the Munich Security Conference.

“This isn’t working. They will have to talk. And both sides will have to make concessions,” Kellogg stated.

Putin has repeatedly claimed that Zelenskyy’s five-year presidential term ended on May 20, 2024, and that he is no longer the legitimate head of state.

Citing this, the Russian leader has argued that Zelenskyy cannot sign a peace agreement, as such a document must “guarantee security for both Ukraine and Russia in the long term.”

However, Putin has expressed willingness to send representatives to negotiate with Zelenskyy “if he wants” to participate. According to Putin, the only “legitimate authority” in Ukraine with whom direct talks on ending the war are possible is the speaker of Ukraine’s parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

In Ukraine, presidential and parliamentary elections have been postponed due to ongoing martial law, which is extended every six months by a vote in the Ukrainian Parliament.

For his part, Zelenskyy has consistently expressed willingness to engage in direct talks with Putin to end the war. “If this is the only configuration in which we can achieve peace for Ukrainians without losing more lives—of course, we will do it,” Zelenskyy said in early February.

However, he warned that he would “not be kind” to Putin, whom he considers an enemy. “To be honest, I think he sees me as an enemy too,” he added.

Zelenskyy has also stressed that the United States and the European Union must be present at the negotiating table. He believes that US President Donald Trump could play a key role in resolving the war and securing “reliable” security guarantees for Ukraine.

Earlier, Zelenskyy warned that Europe will be at risk of Russian occupation if Ukraine does not prevail—but Kyiv cannot win without US support. According to him, Russia currently has 220 combat brigades, each consisting of 3,500 to 5,000 troops. In comparison, Ukraine has 110 brigades, and Europe has just 80.