Trump dismisses Russian remarks on Zelensky’s legitimacy as ‘posturing’

WASHINGTON, United States (MNTV) – US President Donald Trump said the recent statements from Russian officials questioning the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amount to “posturing.” 

“It doesn’t matter what they say. Everybody’s posturing. It’s all bulls‑‑-,” Trump told reporters following an over three-hour-long Cabinet meeting at the White House.

Trump was responding to a question on remarks by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who on Sunday questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy.

“Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda is ready for a summit,” Lavrov told broadcaster NBC News. “Legitimacy is another matter.”

“We recognize him (Zelensky) as the de facto head of the regime, and in this capacity, we are ready to meet with him. But when it comes to signing legal documents…we would need a very clear understanding by everybody that Putin conveyed Moscow’s readiness to continue direct peace talks with Kyiv during his latest phone call with Trump but that a top-level summit, such as between Putin and Zelensky, must be “very well prepared.”

At an August 15 meeting with Putin in Alaska, Trump suggested that the leaders of the two warring countries could hold direct talks aimed at ending the Ukraine war.

The US president’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said at the Cabinet meeting that talks would be held this week on the conflict and that he hoped to end the war by the end of the year.

Earlier, Zelensky said contacts were planned this week with countries that may host a potential summit with the Russian side.