Russian President, Vladimir Putin has said that Ukraine could be placed under a “temporary administration” as part of a peace process that could include help from North Korea and other Moscow allies.
Speaking to a group of servicemen in Russia’s northern port of Murmansk, Putin laid out several provisions for a peace process to end the three-year war launched by Moscow in February 2022.
Among Putin’s many suggestions was a call for new elections in Ukraine and the “signing of key accords” once the country is under international administration.
Putin reaffirmed his claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose term expired last year, lacks the legitimacy to sign a peace deal.
Putin claimed that any agreement that is signed with the current Ukrainian government could be challenged by its successors and said new elections could be held under external governance.
Meanwhile, Kyiv maintains that elections are impossible to hold amid a war.
“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.”
Vladimir Putin
He stated that Russia supports resolving all these issues by peaceful means, adding, “Yet, with removing the original causes that triggered the current situation.”
Also, Putin emphasized that his troops “have the strategic initiative” across the front line. “There are reasons to believe that we will defeat them,” he stated.
“We are progressing, perhaps not as fast as we would like, but with persistence and certainty, towards achieving all the objectives announced at the beginning of the offensive in February 2022.”
Vladimir Putin
Putin Calls For Other Countries’ Participation In Ukraine Ceasefire Talks
Moreover, Putin said that other countries should be involved in the peace process beyond the US and Russia, including North Korea.
“This is not only the United States but also the People’s Republic of China, India, Brazil, South Africa, all BRICS countries and many others, for example, including the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
Vladimir Putin
Putin also said that he was ready to work with Europe, as well, although it was “acting inconsistently, constantly trying to fool us.”
“But it’s OK, we have gotten used to it already. I hope we will make no mistakes based on excessive trust to our so-called partners.”
Vladimir Putin
Putin hailed US President Donald Trump, describing him as “sincerely wishing for the end of this conflict.”
Putin’s comments follow separate negotiations in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh this week between Russian, Ukrainian and US officials aimed at securing a temporary ceasefire.
According to the US, Kyiv and Moscow agreed to halt military strikes on vessels in the Black Sea, but in the days since, they have both accused each other of not taking the peace talks seriously.
Following the deal, Ukraine accused Russia of launching an overnight drone attack on the city of Mykolaiv, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as a “clear signal to the whole world that Moscow is not going to pursue real peace.”
Russia separately accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone attack on a gas storage facility and a power installation in Russian-held territory, in contravention of an agreement to not attack each other’s power facilities.
Russian media said a second round of talks is due to resume in Riyadh in mid-April.
