Lavrow besides expressed doubts about the anticipation of signing a peace treaty with the president of Ukraine, undermining its "legitization". He added that holding elections in Ukraine would be a "optimal solution" to settle "who can sign a peace agreement". He besides stated that Moscow inactive agreed on the principles of an agreement that would satisfy all parties.
Vladimir Putin stressed earlier that Moscow must take care of the interests of people in these territories of Ukraine, “where people live, for whom Russian is their native language and Russia is their homeland”. However, he did not specify which territories.
Putin besides repeatedly questioned Zelenski's legitimacy. He referred to the fact that his presidential word formally expired on 20 May 2024, but was extended due to martial law. At the end of March Putin proposed an introduction Provisional management of Ukraine under the aegis of the United Nations and Western countries. He pointed out that in his opinion this would let a "effective and trustworthy government to bring to power" with which the peace treaty could be signed.
This thought irritated U.S. president Donald Trump, who threatened that if Putin did not sign the ceasefire agreement shortly enough, Washington imposed fresh sanctions on Russia. Since then, however, Trump's position has changed. According to the Wall Street Journal, after a telephone conversation with Putin on 19 May, he informed European leaders that the Russian president was not going to end the war due to the fact that he believes he is winning on the battlefield.
Trump besides informed Zelenski that now he must negociate peace with Putin and refuse to impose fresh sanctions on Russia.
