Zelensky’s peace gambit: A turning point or political theater?
By willowt // 2025-03-07
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  • The Kremlin has cautiously welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's apparent willingness to engage in peace talks, signaling a potential shift in the prolonged conflict, despite significant legal and political obstacles.
  • Zelensky is legally barred from negotiating with Russian President Vladimir Putin due to a 2022 decree, and his presidential legitimacy is questioned as his term officially expired in May 2024, complicating any diplomatic efforts.
  • U.S. President Donald Trump's public criticism of Zelensky and reports of suspended military aid to Ukraine have raised concerns about the U.S. role in the conflict and its impact on Kyiv's ability to resist Russian advances.
  • The war, now in its third year, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and widespread displacement, with Ukrainian forces struggling to hold back Russian advances. The conflict is deeply rooted in historical, cultural and geopolitical tensions.
  • Despite the Kremlin's openness to negotiations, the path to peace remains challenging due to Zelensky's legal constraints, contested legitimacy and deep mistrust between Ukraine and Russia.
The Kremlin has issued a cautious welcome to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s apparent willingness to engage in peace talks with Russia, marking a potential shift in a conflict that has dragged on for years and claimed tens of thousands of lives. However, significant obstacles remain, including a 2022 Ukrainian decree that legally bars Zelensky from negotiating with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The development comes after U.S. President Donald Trump revealed during an address to Congress that Zelensky had written, “Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer.” This statement, if genuine, represents a stark reversal from Zelensky’s previous refusal to engage with Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded by saying the Russian authorities perceive the development “positively,” but he also noted that “the legal ban on the Ukrainian president holding negotiations with the Russian side remains in force.”

The legal barrier to peace

In the fall of 2022, Zelensky signed a decree prohibiting negotiations with Putin following the controversial referendums in which the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, voted to join Russia. The Kremlin has consistently maintained that these regions are now part of Russia, a position rejected by Ukraine and much of the international community. Peskov’s remarks underscore the complexity of the situation: “Therefore, overall, the attitude is positive, but some details have not changed yet.” The legal barrier, combined with Zelensky’s questionable legitimacy as Ukraine’s leader—his presidential term officially expired in May 2024—adds layers of difficulty to any potential diplomatic breakthrough.

Trump’s role: Mediator or provocateur?

Zelensky’s apparent U-turn follows a highly publicized spat with President Trump, who accused the Ukrainian leader of “gambling with World War III” by refusing to negotiate peace with Russia. Trump also criticized Zelensky for being “disrespectful and ungrateful” for the military aid provided by Washington. Reports suggest that Trump has since ordered a suspension of weapons deliveries to Ukraine, a move that could significantly impact Kyiv’s ability to resist Russian advances. Trump’s suggestion that Zelensky “doesn’t want there to be peace as long as he has America’s backing” has sparked debate about the U.S. role in the conflict. While the White House has yet to officially confirm the suspension of military aid, the mere possibility has sent shockwaves through European capitals, where leaders are scrambling to adapt to the shifting U.S. stance.

A war of attrition with no end in sight

The conflict, now in its third year, has devolved into a grinding war of attrition. Ukrainian forces are struggling to hold back Russian advances along the 1,000-kilometer front line, particularly in the eastern Donetsk region. Despite heavy casualties on both sides, neither side has achieved a decisive breakthrough. The human cost of the war is staggering. Tens of thousands of soldiers and over 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have lost their lives, with countless others displaced or injured. The recent funeral of Ukrainian soldier Vasyl Ratushnyy, 28, in Kyiv’s St. Michael Cathedral serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices being made daily.

Historical context: A conflict rooted in geopolitics

The roots of the Ukraine-Russia conflict stretch back decades, if not centuries, encompassing historical, cultural and geopolitical tensions. Ukraine’s desire for closer ties with the West, culminating in its aspirations for NATO and EU membership, has long been a point of contention with Moscow. Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its support for separatist movements in eastern Ukraine were early flashpoints that escalated into full-scale war in 2022. The 2022 referendums in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporozhye—widely criticized as illegitimate by the international community—further entrenched the divide. For Russia, these regions are now integral parts of its territory, making any peace deal that excludes them politically untenable. For Ukraine, accepting their loss would be a bitter pill to swallow, undermining its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The path forward: Diplomacy or deadlock?

While the Kremlin has expressed openness to negotiations, the road to peace remains fraught with challenges. Zelensky’s legal constraints, his contested legitimacy and the deep-seated mistrust between Kyiv and Moscow all complicate efforts to end the conflict. European leaders, meanwhile, are watching nervously as the U.S. under Trump appears to be recalibrating its approach to the war. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have reportedly discussed the possibility of a joint trip to Washington with Zelensky, though details remain unclear. As the world waits to see whether Zelensky’s peace overture is genuine or merely political theater, one thing is certain: the stakes could not be higher. A negotiated settlement could bring an end to one of the deadliest conflicts of the 21st century, but achieving it will require unprecedented diplomacy, compromise and courage from all sides. For now, the Kremlin’s guarded optimism offers a glimmer of hope, but the path to peace remains as uncertain as ever. Sources include: RT.com Iol.co.za Yahoo.com
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