Russian President Vladimir Putin made a call on Friday for a “transitional administration” in Ukraine to oversee new elections, with the intention of putting in place a government that would be willing to negotiate peace with Moscow. During his speech at an Arctic forum, he said that this plan could be up for discussion with the US and its allies under the UN’s watch. He also said that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky whose term was technically set to end in May 2024 lacks legitimacy, urging Ukrainian generals to take action against him.
Putin’s remarks show that he’s feeling more confident, especially with the improving US Russia relations under President Donald Trump. Trump has been advocating for a ceasefire while also warning about cutting aid to Ukraine. Recently, Russia’s military announced they’ve made some advances in northeastern Ukraine, taking over villages in Kharkiv and Kursk. Putin has vowed to “finish off” the Ukrainian forces, pointing to their better resources, but he did admit that things are moving slower than he would like.
Ukraine has dismissed the proposal, with presidential aide Andriy Yermak accusing Moscow of undermining peace efforts. Ukraine also alleged that Russia launched around 160 drones overnight, hitting southern infrastructure, despite a Kremlin promise to avoid energy strikes. Russia has denied these claims but has warned that it could restart such attacks if Ukraine breaches the terms of the Black Sea agreement.