Vladimir Putin suggests that Ukraine should be temporarily under UN control to elect what he called a more “competent” government.
It is the latest attempt by the Russian president to challenge the legitimacy of the Kiev government.
Ukraine has accused Putin of proposing “crazy” ideas to slow further movement towards a peace deal.
The White House argued that Ukraine’s governance is determined by the constitution and the people.
Putin’s statement is now in its fourth year as the United States is trying to mediate a ceasefire in a full-scale war with Ukraine.
On Tuesday, the White House said both sides agreed to a limited ceasefire in the Black Sea.
However, Russia has since submitted a list of conditions that includes lifting some Western sanctions, urging concerns that Moscow is trying to derail the movement towards a ceasefire.
Vladimir Putin spoke to the crew of a nuclear-powered submarine in the Russian Far Northern Russia Murmansk city, saying that the temporary administration under the auspices of the United Nations could “discuss with the US, European countries and of course partners and friends.
“This will be for democratic elections, empowering a capable government trusted by the people, then discussing peace deals and signing legitimate documents,” he added.
Moscow says current Ukrainian authorities are illegal as President Volodymia Zelensky is not a valid negotiating partner as he maintains power beyond the end of his term.
But Zelensky remained because elections were legally pending by martial law and in fact due to war turmoil.
It is almost impossible for more than five million Ukrainians to evacuate overseas and hold valid elections hundreds of thousands of people away from the frontline home battle.
By calling for an election, Putin is trying to raise doubts that President Zelensky is a legitimate interlocutor in peace talks. The White House already reflects this story.
And if Putin succeeds in enforcing the election, he may want to divide and distract Ukraine while this benefits on the battlefield.
Putin said the proposal is just one of many options, but noted that there is an international precedent for UN control, such as East Timor and parts of former Yugoslavia.
Zelensky’s Chief of Staff Andry Yelmack responded to Putin’s remarks, saying that Russia was trying to stop moving towards peace and chose to continue the war.
Meanwhile, a US national security spokesman told Reuters that Ukraine’s governance was decided by the constitution and by the people.
At the same meeting, the Russian leader said Moscow had “strategic initiatives” along the frontline of the war and “there are reasons to believe we can end it.”
However, despite the frequent declarations of combat progress, Russia has made very slow and limited progress to acquire the territory of eastern Ukraine.
Putin’s comments came after Thursday’s meeting with Zelensky and European allies in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron said France and Britain are proposing plans for security forces in Ukraine.
Russia began a full-scale invasion of its neighbors in February 2022.
