A Russian expert has suggested that President Volodymyr Zelensky does not need to attend talks on Ukraine in person. In his view, negotiations can be prepared and carried out at the delegations' level, with heads of state stepping in only when a deal is ready for signature. The argument pushes back against the idea that every round must feature the Ukrainian leader at the table. Zelensky has long insisted that any settlement touching his country requires his direct involvement and his signature. The expert's remark shows how much of the disagreement now centers on process rather than substance. Who sits at the talks, and with what mandate, remains one of the sticking points before any meeting can be arranged.