Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Ukraine was 'not ready' to end the conflict because it wasn't willing to lift martial law and hold elections, speaking following talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Moscow on Friday.
"Kiev is still not ready to abandon the idea of waging war until the victorious end. In my opinion, the Kiev regime does not allow the very idea of cessation of hostilities because in this case the pretext for lifting martial law disappears," he began.
Putin added that the lifting of martial law in Ukraine would then mean a presidential election.
"The chances of winning them for the Ukrainian rulers, who have lost their ratings and legitimacy, are close to zero. Our peace initiatives were outlined quite recently at my meeting with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry. We believe that their implementation would make it possible to end hostilities and begin negotiations," Russian president said.
Kiev has not commented on the claims at time of publication. Zelensky assumed office in 2019, and saw his term officially end this year. Elections scheduled for March 31 were postponed amid ongoing martial law following the conflict with Russia. Both the EU and UN have stated that they still consider Zelensky the leader of Ukraine.
Putin himself said that the matter of Zelensky's legitimacy "is for Ukraine's political and legal frameworks to resolve." He also emphasised that following the conclusion of the conflict, Moscow intends to "sign documents in such a significant area with legitimate authorities."
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR, claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
Kiev will not stop waging war because it means lifting martial law and elections - Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Ukraine was 'not ready' to end the conflict because it wasn't willing to lift martial law and hold elections, speaking following talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Moscow on Friday.
"Kiev is still not ready to abandon the idea of waging war until the victorious end. In my opinion, the Kiev regime does not allow the very idea of cessation of hostilities because in this case the pretext for lifting martial law disappears," he began.
Putin added that the lifting of martial law in Ukraine would then mean a presidential election.
"The chances of winning them for the Ukrainian rulers, who have lost their ratings and legitimacy, are close to zero. Our peace initiatives were outlined quite recently at my meeting with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry. We believe that their implementation would make it possible to end hostilities and begin negotiations," Russian president said.
Kiev has not commented on the claims at time of publication. Zelensky assumed office in 2019, and saw his term officially end this year. Elections scheduled for March 31 were postponed amid ongoing martial law following the conflict with Russia. Both the EU and UN have stated that they still consider Zelensky the leader of Ukraine.
Putin himself said that the matter of Zelensky's legitimacy "is for Ukraine's political and legal frameworks to resolve." He also emphasised that following the conclusion of the conflict, Moscow intends to "sign documents in such a significant area with legitimate authorities."
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR, claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Ukraine was 'not ready' to end the conflict because it wasn't willing to lift martial law and hold elections, speaking following talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Moscow on Friday.
"Kiev is still not ready to abandon the idea of waging war until the victorious end. In my opinion, the Kiev regime does not allow the very idea of cessation of hostilities because in this case the pretext for lifting martial law disappears," he began.
Putin added that the lifting of martial law in Ukraine would then mean a presidential election.
"The chances of winning them for the Ukrainian rulers, who have lost their ratings and legitimacy, are close to zero. Our peace initiatives were outlined quite recently at my meeting with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry. We believe that their implementation would make it possible to end hostilities and begin negotiations," Russian president said.
Kiev has not commented on the claims at time of publication. Zelensky assumed office in 2019, and saw his term officially end this year. Elections scheduled for March 31 were postponed amid ongoing martial law following the conflict with Russia. Both the EU and UN have stated that they still consider Zelensky the leader of Ukraine.
Putin himself said that the matter of Zelensky's legitimacy "is for Ukraine's political and legal frameworks to resolve." He also emphasised that following the conclusion of the conflict, Moscow intends to "sign documents in such a significant area with legitimate authorities."
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR, claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.