Zelensky's leadership illegitimate, Putin says peace deal senseless

Russia's President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the Ukrainian government is illegitimate and that it was senseless to sign any agreements with them. He said that US President Donald Trump's plan was "a set of issues put forward for discussion" rather than a draft agreement, adding that it could become the basis of future agreements. He said the Kyiv leadership lost legitimacy after refusing to hold elections when President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's elected term expired. He explained that hostilities will cease if Ukrainian troops withdraw from territories they occupy. "If they don't withdraw, we will achieve this by force," he said.

'Russia also in state of military conflict, but we had presidential & municipal elections recently'

Putin highlights why 'illegitimate' Kiev regime doesn't want conflict to end

Without it, must lift martial law, hold elections, which would render Zelensky's junta powerless pic.twitter.com/FH2W7zB59M

— RT (@RT_com) November 27, 2025

Meanwhile, Kyiv said it cannot hold elections while under martial law and defending its territory against Russia. US special envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Moscow next week, while US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll may be heading to Kyiv. Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the worst armed conflict in Europe since World War II.