Russia's top diplomat claims Zelensky cannot sign peace deal due to being 'illegitimate'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that President Vladimir Putin cannot sign a peace deal with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky due to claims of illegitimacy. In an interview, he emphasized the need for a legitimate Ukrainian representative to sign any agreement. While the Kremlin's stance reflects longstanding sentiments, Lavrov's remarks coincide with efforts to arrange a meeting between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky.

Moreover, Lavrov mentioned the necessity of elections in Ukraine, as Zelensky has not faced re-election since 2019. This counters Vice President JD Vance's comments, noting that Russians recognized Zelensky as Ukraine's rightful leader.