A Ukrainian decree in 2022 banning talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin raises questions about who could participate in potential peace talks aimed at ending the three-year conflict between the two countries, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “still legally has no right to negotiate with the Russian side,” Mr. Peskov emphasized during a daily press conference.
He described as “positive” the fact that Mr Zelensky on Tuesday expressed his readiness to achieve peace with Russia as soon as possible.
“However, the details remain unchanged,” Mr. Peskov added, apparently referring to the Ukrainian decree.
Neither Ukrainian nor Western officials have recently mentioned the September 2022 presidential decree, signed seven months after Russia's invasion, in the context of U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to end the fighting.
On Monday, the Trump administration suspended critical military aid to Ukraine as the United States sought to pressure Mr Zelensky to initiate talks to end the conflict.
The U.S. has also suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine, halting the flow of critical information that has supported the embattled country against Russian aggressors. However, Trump administration officials said Wednesday that positive talks between Washington and Kiev may mean the suspension will be temporary.
Information about Russia's intentions and military actions is key to Ukraine's defense and provides compelling evidence of support from the United States and other Western allies.
“We've stepped back, paused and reviewed every aspect of that relationship,” National Security Adviser Mike Walz said Wednesday.
Comments from senior Trump administration officials suggest the pause is part of broader talks between Trump and Zelensky on a peace deal with Russia, and that intelligence could begin flowing back to Ukraine soon.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe described the pause as a “pause” and said it came after a failed meeting between Trump and Zelensky in the Oval Office last week. Ratcliffe said Trump wanted to make sure Zelensky was serious about peace.
“On the military and intelligence fronts, the pause that allowed this to happen will end, and I am confident that we will work side by side with Ukraine as before,” Mr Ratcliffe said.
The CIA declined to comment on the changes to the intelligence sharing procedure.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
