Putin: Russia Ready to Pick Negotiators for Direct Talks With Zelensky, But He Can't Sign Peace Deal

"Zelensky signed a decree outlawing peace negotiations with Moscow in 2022, months after the West sabotaged a ready peace treaty to pursue an all-out proxy war against Russia.

President Putin has expressed readiness to find negotiators to speak directly with Volodymyr Zelensky.
Under Ukrainian law, the end of the president's term means his powers are transferred to the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada parliament, and in accordance with the Constitution, even martial law does not give him the right to extend his authority, Putin said.
Zelensky's powers officially ran out last spring, but he remained in office after cancelling elections, citing martial law." Sputnik