Kremlin twists Ukrainian laws to justify reluctance for good-faith negotiations - ISW

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports.

It is noted that Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov attempted to portray Ukraine as unwilling to negotiate an end to the war, while simultaneously showing the Kremlin's own reluctance to engage in genuine negotiations. He also intensified Russian disinformation campaigns, falsely labeling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as an "illegitimate" leader.

Analysts recalled that on July 25, Peskov claimed Russia was open to achieving its goals through negotiations, but cited obstacles to these talks. Specifically, Peskov falsely asserted that Zelenskyy is an illegitimate president and that Ukraine had implemented a de facto legislative ban on any contact and negotiations with the Russian side. Peskov argued that Russia needs to understand how ready Ukraine, its government, and its side are, while suggesting that Ukraine had made very different statements on these issues.

“Ukraine has clearly presented its plan for a lasting peace based on international law as part of preparations for eventual negotiations with Russia, and Ukrainian officials have openly invited a Russian representative to attend Ukraine's second peace summit later in 2024. The Kremlin, on the other hand, has repeatedly falsely claimed that it is open to negotiations while simultaneously indicating that it is only interested in a negotiated settlement that results in complete Ukrainian capitulation,” the report says.

“Peskov's statements, contrary to inaccurate reporting by select Western outlets, did not indicate that Russia is ready to negotiate with Zelenskyy, but rather that the Kremlin remains committed to its false narrative that Russia cannot negotiate with Zelenskyy, as Zelenskyy is supposedly Ukraine's "illegitimate" president,” the analysts added.

The ISW emphasized that the Kremlin distorts the interpretation of the Ukrainian Constitution and Ukrainian laws to support these Russian narratives about Zelenskyy's alleged "illegitimacy.”

“Peskov also misrepresented the Ukrainian law concerning negotiations with Russia. Zelenskyy signed a decree in October 2022 that stated that negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin are "impossible" but did not outright ban "any contacts and negotiations with the Russian side," ISW writes.

This week, after talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that both Ukraine and Russia have recently indicated, to varying extents, their readiness for negotiations.

"Although the conditions and timing are not yet ripe, we support all efforts that contribute to peace and are ready to continue playing a constructive role," the Chinese Foreign Ministry quoted Wang Yi.

According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Dmytro Kuleba emphasized that "negotiations must be reasonable and substantive, aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.”