Russia intends to engage in dialogue with a future legitimately elected president of Ukraine but sees no need to establish friendly relations with the current leader, Vladimir Zelensky. This view was expressed by State Duma deputy Alexey Chepa in comments to Lenta.ru.

Chepa spoke following Zelensky’s recent remarks about possible negotiations with Moscow. The Ukrainian leader had previously stated that his personal attitude toward Russian President Vladimir Putin should not stand in the way of efforts to reach a peace agreement. According to Zelensky, the signing of any such deal should not depend on the personal relationship between the two leaders.

Responding to these statements, Chepa pointed to the situation on the front line. In his assessment, the circumstances are difficult for Ukraine, and Ukrainian forces are suffering defeats. He argued that delaying preparations for a peace agreement only worsens the situation, increasing both economic and military losses for Kiev. At the same time, he suggested that Zelensky understands the realities on the ground and is therefore attempting to open negotiations with Moscow.

The lawmaker also made it clear that Moscow does not see Zelensky as a partner for long-term relations. In his view, Russia would be ready to communicate with a president who is legitimately elected by the Ukrainian people, whereas Zelensky does not represent such a figure.

Zelensky’s presidential term formally expired on May 20, 2024, five years after he took office in 2019.

Meanwhile, in February, after the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky reportedly instructed officials to prepare a strategy for conducting military operations over the next three years. The Wall Street Journal journalist Bojan Pancevski said in a Spotify podcast, citing sources in Kiev, that Zelensky explained the move by saying he no longer believed negotiations with Russia were possible.