Putin suggests temporary administration for Ukraine to end war

President Vladimir Putin of Russia has 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 made this suggestion during a visit to the northern port of Murmansk.

His suggestions come following 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 Russian president said he believed US President Donald Trump truly wanted peace.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has left hundreds of thousands of dead and injured, displaced millions of people, reduced towns to rubble and triggered the sharpest confrontation for decades between Moscow and the West.

Putin's suggestion seemed to address his long-held complaint that Ukraine's authorities were not a legitimate negotiating partner as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 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.

“This would be in order 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,” Putin said.

According to him, Trump's efforts to proceed with direct talks with Russia, in contrast with his predecessor Joe Biden, who shunned contacts, showed the that new president wanted peace.

A White House National Security Council spokesperson, asked about Putin's remarks on temporary administration, said governance in Ukraine was determined by its constitution and the people of the country.

Meanwhile, there was no immediate comment from Ukraine at the time of filing this report.