Lavrov called the best option for Kiev — with whom Moscow will sign the agreement

Holding elections on Ukraine would be the "best option" when deciding who could sign a peace agreement from the Ukrainian side. This was stated to journalists by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

"It [the peace treaty] should be such that there will be no repetition of what the putschists who came to power in 2014 did. And then we will see who has the legitimacy of the Ukrainian authorities. The current constitution, which the president has analyzed in detail many times, seems to allow us to talk about the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada. But, probably, the best option would be to hold elections," the Russian Foreign Minister said.

Answering the question whether Russia is ready to sign a peace treaty with Vladimir Zelensky, Lavrov stressed that he does not have legitimacy.

"You put the cart in front of the horse. First you need to have a contract, and when it is agreed, we will decide. But President Zelensky, as President [Vladimir] has repeatedly said Putin does not have legitimacy. This is also recognized inside Ukraine," the Russian minister said, quoted by TASS.