Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Declares Zelensky 'Not Legitimate' for Peace Deal Signatures

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has asserted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lacks the legitimacy required to sign a peace deal, a claim that critics argue demonstrates Russia's disinterest in good faith negotiations. This statement, made during an interview on August 24, has been widely rejected by Ukraine and its Western allies, who affirm Zelensky's continued authority under wartime martial law. Political commentator Beth Martin stated in a tweet, "There are zero grounds to say Zelensky is illegitimate. This is a clear statement that Russia is uninterested in good faith peace negotiations."

Lavrov's remarks stem from the fact that Zelensky's presidential term would have expired in May 2024, but elections were suspended due to the imposition of martial law following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. According to Lavrov, "When we come to a stage when you have to sign documents, we would need a very clear understanding by everybody that the person who is signing is legitimate, and ... Mr. Zelensky is not at the moment." Russia views Zelensky as the "de facto head of the regime" but not a legitimate leader for signing binding agreements.

Kyiv has vehemently refuted Russia's claims, emphasizing that Ukrainian law explicitly bans elections during martial law. The Ukrainian parliament overwhelmingly affirmed Zelensky's legitimacy in a vote on February 25, citing Article 108 of the constitution, which states the incumbent head of state remains in power until a new president is elected. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized Lavrov's statements, calling them an attempt to discredit the Ukrainian government and obstruct peace efforts.

The dispute over Zelensky's legitimacy poses a significant hurdle to any potential peace talks aimed at ending the conflict. Moscow's insistence on a "legitimate representative" for negotiations suggests a precondition that Ukraine and its allies deem unfounded and a tactic to delay or avoid substantive discussions. This stance complicates efforts by international mediators, including attempts by U.S. President Donald Trump to arrange a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky.

Analysts from the American Institute for the Study of War suggest that the Kremlin's repeated questioning of Zelensky's legitimacy is a propaganda tactic. They believe it is part of Russia's strategy to manipulate future negotiations and potentially disregard any agreements at a later date. This ongoing narrative from Moscow reinforces skepticism among Western leaders regarding Russia's genuine commitment to a peaceful resolution.