In a striking interview with NBC News, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared that the Kremlin will not recognize President Volodymyr Zelensky's authority to sign any peace agreements that would conclude Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. This statement came as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to facilitate a meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to broker peace.

Lavrov underscored the Kremlin's stance, claiming, "To sign any documents, there must be clarity about the signatory's legitimacy, and currently, Mr. Zelensky does not have that legitimacy." This assertion bolsters the Russian narrative branding Zelensky's government as illegitimate.

Notably, Lavrov categorized Zelensky as merely the 'de facto head of the regime,' further diminishing the Ukrainian president's standing in the eyes of Russia.

Historically, Zelensky's presidency began with a democratic election in 2019. However, due to the imposition of martial law following Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022, Ukraine has not held presidential elections, which were scheduled for March 31, 2024.

Lavrov's comments come amid ongoing efforts for dialogue, including Trump's recent invitation for peace talks between Putin and Zelensky in Anchorage, Alaska. However, progress remains elusive, as Russia continues to demand significant territorial concessions and refuses to agree to a ceasefire.

Moreover, when pressed by NBC News as to whether Putin is merely prolonging negotiations under Trump’s auspices, Lavrov sidestepped the question. Instead, he emphasized, "It is not for lawmakers or media to speculate on President Trump's motivations."

This ongoing dispute over Zelensky's legitimacy serves as a tactical maneuver by Russia, potentially stalling negotiations and peace arrangements, which many hope could finally bring an end to the devastating conflict.