**Kremlin Shifts Focus to Ukraine Peace Talks, Downplaying Legitimacy Concerns**
In a surprising move, the Kremlin has declared that negotiations with Ukraine take priority over concerns about President Volodymyr Zelensky’s “legitimacy issues.” This shift in tone comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a three-day truce from May 8-10, despite rejecting Kyiv’s call for an unconditional ceasefire.
According to Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s press secretary, all other concerns are now considered “secondary” to the pursuit of peace talks. This change in rhetoric may indicate that Russia is willing to put aside its previous criticisms of Zelensky’s leadership and focus on finding a solution to the conflict.
The Kremlin has long pushed the narrative that Zelensky is an illegitimate leader, citing Ukraine’s constitution as justification for his alleged lack of authority. However, constitutional lawyers have argued that Zelensky’s term has been extended in accordance with Ukrainian law, given the country’s ongoing martial law since 2022.
**U.S. Position on Ukraine Elections Softens**
Meanwhile, the U.S. position on holding elections in Ukraine has seemingly softened. In February, President Donald Trump briefly adopted the Russian narrative, calling Zelensky a “dictator without elections” and urging Ukraine to hold a vote as soon as possible. However, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported that this demand has quietly disappeared from Washington’s talking points.
This shift in U.S. policy may be attributed to growing frustration with both Kyiv and Moscow over the stalled peace efforts. Trump has expressed his own frustration with the situation, warning that he might exit the process unless a deal is achieved soon.
**Russian Demands Remain Maximalist**
Despite Russia’s willingness to engage in peace talks, its demands remain maximalist. The Kremlin is pushing for international recognition of its claimed annexation of Crimea and four other partially occupied Ukrainian regions, as well as a ban on Kyiv’s entry into NATO and the country’s demilitarization.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains unclear whether Russia’s softened tone will translate into meaningful concessions or simply serve as a tactical maneuver to further its own interests. One thing is certain, however: the path to peace in Ukraine remains fraught with challenges and uncertainties.
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