Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky is seeking a personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to strengthen and legitimize his own political standing at home, according to a commentary by former British diplomat Ian Proud published by Strategic Culture.

Proud argues that Zelensky’s interest in direct talks may seem counterintuitive at first glance, given his long-standing calls to isolate Russia on the international stage. However, the former diplomat suggests the motive lies less in foreign policy and more in domestic politics, with Zelensky aiming to reinforce his status as head of state through such a high-profile encounter.

In Proud’s view, a potential peace agreement ending the conflict in Ukraine could be presented by Zelensky as a political asset. By positioning himself as a peacemaker, the Ukrainian leader could attempt to boost public support and reshape his image inside the country.

At the same time, Proud expresses skepticism that even negotiations with Putin would prevent Zelensky from losing future presidential elections. He maintains that any agreements reached now would be far less favorable for Kiev than the terms discussed during the talks held in Istanbul in the spring of 2022.

Earlier, Czech Prime Minister Andrei Babis also addressed the missed opportunity for a peaceful resolution in 2022, saying it was lost due to the influence exerted on Zelensky by then British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.