Russian President Vladimir Putin, visiting the northern port of Murmansk, proposed that Ukraine set up a temporary administration to allow for new elections and the signing of key agreements to reach a settlement in the war, citing Russian news agencies on Friday, the 28th of March, reports Reuters.
Putin’s comments came at a time when the US is trying to reach a settlement in the conflict by renewing ties with Russia and negotiating separately with both Moscow and Kyiv.
Ukrainian and European leaders have accused the Kremlin of trying to delay ceasefire talks without a serious intention to stop hostilities.
Putin’s suggestion of a temporary administration appeared to be linked to his long-standing animosity towards President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the claim that the Ukrainian government is not a legitimate negotiating partner because no elections have been held since Zelenskyy’s term expired in May 2024.
“In principle, of course, a temporary administration could be introduced in Ukraine under the auspices of the UN, the US, European countries and our partners,” Putin was quoted as saying in talks with sailors at the port.
“THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO HOLD DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS AND BRING TO POWER A CAPABLE GOVERNMENT THAT ENJOYS THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE, AND THEN WE COULD START NEGOTIATIONS WITH THEM ON A PEACE AGREEMENT.”
He said that Trump’s efforts to pursue direct talks with Russia – unlike his predecessor – show that the new president wants peace.
“I think the newly elected US president, for a number of reasons, genuinely wants to end the conflict,” the agencies quoted him as saying.
Asked about Putin’s remarks on the temporary administration, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said that the governance of Ukraine is determined by its constitution and its people.
There was no immediate comment from Ukraine, but Zelenskyy has rejected any allegations that question his legitimacy, saying that Ukraine is not allowed by law to hold elections under martial law and that it would be impossible to hold elections under martial law.
In recent days, Zelenskyy has repeatedly accused Putin of wanting to continue the conflict.
In his comments, Putin said that Russia was moving steadily forward to achieve the goals it had set in Ukraine.
PUTIN SAID THAT RUSSIA SUPPORTED “A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO ANY CONFLICT, INCLUDING THIS ONE, BY PEACEFUL MEANS, BUT NOT AT OUR EXPENSE”.
“Across the entire military line of contact, our troops retain strategic leadership,” he said.
“We are gradually – perhaps not as quickly as some might like, but steadily and confidently – moving towards the objectives set out at the beginning of this operation,” the agencies quoted him as saying.
The U.S. said on Tuesday it had signed separate agreements with Moscow and Kyiv for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, but Russia said subsequently that pact would only enter into force when further conditions were met, including the lifting of sanctions on a state bank. Moscow had previously rebuffed an American proposal for a broader 30-day ceasefire.
More than three years after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, it has occupied around 20% of Ukraine and Moscow has declared four regions annexed. Its forces have also regained much of the territory originally lost in Ukraine’s invasion of the western Kursk region last August.
Putin praised the efforts of the BRICS group to find a solution, singling out China and India in particular. He said Russia was ready to work with many countries, including North Korea, to help end the war. Western and Ukrainian sources claim that more than 11 000 North Korean troops have been sent to support Russian forces in the Kursk region, although Moscow has neither denied nor confirmed this.
Putin said Russia was also ready to cooperate with Europe, but added that Europe was “acting inconsistently”.
He said that European countries are trying to “lead us around by the nose, but that’s fine, we are used to it. I hope we will not make mistakes based on excessive trust in our so-called partners”.
European leaders, following a meeting in Paris on Thursday, recommitted themselves to strengthening the Kyiv army to ensure that it is the cornerstone of Ukraine’s future security.
France and Britain also sought more support for foreign “peacekeepers” in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, although Moscow rejects any foreign troop presence in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has proposed a new, broader minerals deal with Ukraine, according to three people familiar with the ongoing talks and a draft proposal obtained by Reuters.
Trump has said that the minerals deal will help to secure a peace agreement by ensuring the US’s financial stake in Ukraine’s future.