Russian President Vladimir Putin stated this evening that the Donetsk and Lugansk regions had the right, under international law, to secede from Ukraine without Kyiv’s permission, citing the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision on KiM as an example.
“Russia had the right to recognize the independence of the DPR and LPR and to conclude a defense agreement with them. Moscow provided assistance within the framework of this agreement,” Putin emphasized in a conversation with foreign journalists.
Putin said that it is necessary to find solutions for the Ukrainian conflict that would not only help end the war but also create conditions for it not to continue in the future, RIA Novosti reports.
“I am ready to meet with everyone, including (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky,” Putin said, but stressed that the issue of the legitimacy of the Ukrainian authorities is important.
Russia does not recognize Zelensky as the President of Ukraine after his term expired in March 2024 because, according to RIA, under the Ukrainian constitution, the possibility of extending presidential powers does not exist even under emergency conditions.
All government bodies in Ukraine are appointed by the president, and under these conditions, the entire system of power becomes illegitimate, Putin said, adding that it does not matter who leads the negotiations on the Ukrainian side, but it is important that the final document is signed by legitimate authorities.
Putin also agreed with US President Donald Trump’s assessment that, had he been in the White House in 2022, the war in Ukraine would not have started.
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Source: Tanjug; Photo: Printscreen YouTube / RT