The Kremlin has announced its readiness for negotiations with Zelensky

Russia is not giving up on talks with Volodymyr Zelensky, despite Putin considering him an "illegitimate" president of Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"Mr. Zelensky has major problems de jure in terms of his legitimacy, but even despite this, the Russian side remains open to negotiations," Peskov assured .

At the same time, he noted that the Ukrainian leadership must “demonstrate interest” and lift the legislative ban on contacts with Putin.

Otherwise, the Kremlin will not take Zelensky’s statements about his readiness for direct negotiations with the Russian president seriously.

“Readiness must be based on something... It cannot be based on a legislative ban on such negotiations for Zelensky.

Therefore, for now, it is impossible to perceive this as anything other than empty words,” Peskov said.

Asked whether Putin considers Zelensky an enemy, Peskov said that “there cannot and should be no room for emotions here” — only “legal analysis and absolute pragmatism.”