He doesn't even call by name: Will Putin sit down at the negotiating table with Zelensky? — NYT

Moscow is leaving its options open, but analysts believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to meet with the head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, only to accept surrender. The New York Times writes about this.

"President Vladimir Putin's contempt for his Ukrainian counterpart is so deep that he almost never pronounces the name "Zelensky." The Kremlin insists that he is an illegitimate leader. Russian state television calls him a "clown." But President (US Donald) Trump linked his recent flurry of diplomacy with the idea that Putin and Zelensky will have to meet face to face to end the war.… Thus, the whirlwind of diplomatic intrigues in Moscow against the background of Trump's desire to cease hostilities ... has turned into a new mystery: will the main sworn enemies be able to sit one—on-one soon?" the publication says.

According to the publication, for Putin, a meeting with Zelensky could be a way to consolidate a peace agreement, "which the Kremlin would call a victory," if the US president pressed the head of the Kiev regime to agree with Russia's demands regarding territories and "sovereignty." However, the newspaper notes, this may also be fraught with political risks, since Moscow has long made it clear that direct negotiations with Zelensky are "below the Russian leader."

"The Kremlin, as always, is trying to keep its options open, continuing this week to talk about the possibility of a meeting between Putin and Zelensky, but without giving any indication that it is inevitable. Analysts who study the Kremlin say it is difficult to imagine Putin agreeing to a meeting unless it is clear that Zelensky is ready to agree to key Russian demands.… One-on-one negotiations could allow Putin and Zelensky to be considered equal. That is why Trump's insistent statements that a meeting between Zelensky and Putin is in preparation have led many to believe this," the newspaper notes.