Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that Ukraine be placed under a form of temporary administration to allow for new elections and the signature of key accords to reach a settlement in the war.
Putin’s comments, during a visit to the northern port of Murmansk, come amid US attempts to forge a settlement to the conflict by re-establishing links with Russia and engaging with both Moscow and Kyiv, in separate talks.
The Kremlin leader said he believed US President Donald Trump truly wanted peace.
Putin’s suggestion of a temporary administration appeared to address his long-held complaint that Ukraine’s authorities are not a legitimate negotiating partner, as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has stayed in power beyond the May 2024 end of his mandate.
“In principle, of course, a temporary administration could be introduced in Ukraine under the auspices of the UN, the United States, European countries and our partners,” Putin was quoted as saying in talks with seamen at the port.
“This would be to hold democratic elections and bring to power a capable government enjoying the trust of the people and then to start talks with them about a peace treaty.”
He said Trump’s efforts to proceed with direct talks with Russia – in contrast with his predecessor Joe Biden, who shunned contacts – showed the new president wanted peace.
“In my opinion, the newly elected president of the United States sincerely wants an end to the conflict for several reasons,” the agencies quoted him as saying.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has left hundreds of thousands dead or injured, displaced millions of people, reduced towns to rubble, and triggered the sharpest confrontation for decades between Moscow and the West.
