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Zelenskyy Dismisses Claims He Can’t Talk to Putin as Kremlin Propaganda
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![Ivan_khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed suggestions that he is legally prohibited from holding direct negotiations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, describing them as part of a broader Russian disinformation campaign.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kyiv on May 13, Zelenskyy addressed recent statements by Russian officials claiming that a 2022 decision by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) bars him from engaging in talks with Moscow.
“This is a Russian narrative,” Zelenskyy said. “I enacted the NSDC decision by decree, but it does not apply to the President of Ukraine. No one but me has the constitutional authority to negotiate on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
He explained that the decree issued in October 2022 was intended to block unofficial channels of communication with Russian representatives and to stop “shadow negotiations” conducted by figures aligned with the Kremlin.
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Zelenskyy cited earlier efforts by pro-Russian Ukrainian politicians such as Viktor Medvedchuk and Vadym Novynskyi, who he said tried to pressure him into accepting ultimatums from Moscow during the initial stages of the full-scale invasion.
“These individuals directly represented Putin’s interests, contacting me with demands about surrendering territory and even advising me to flee the country,” Zelenskyy noted. “They were not isolated cases. There were many such attempts, and I stopped them to prevent separatism and unauthorized negotiations.”
The President emphasized that his decision was based on Article 106 of Ukraine’s Constitution, which grants the head of state exclusive powers to represent Ukraine in international affairs and conduct diplomatic negotiations.
Earlier on May 13, President Zelenskyy stated during a press conference that Ukraine is committed to achieving a ceasefire and is prepared to meet Putin in Istanbul on May 15. He also confirmed upcoming sanctions targeting Russia’s banking and energy sectors and noted China’s support for a 30-day ceasefire.
