The Russian leader suggested that Ukraine be under temporary UN control until a “competent” government was elected, despite it being contrary to Ukrainian law.
Washington has dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal that Ukraine should be put under temporary UN control, according to reports.
Putin said this could be done until a “competent” government is elected, amid further talks on a ceasefire and long-term peace that would end Moscow’s ongoing full-scale invasion, now in its fourth year.
However, a White House National Security Council spokesperson responded to Putin’s pitch on Friday by stating that governance in Ukraine was determined by its constitution, media reported.
Putin once again took aim at the government in Kyiv and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom the Kremlin continues to accuse of being “illegitimate”.
Under Ukraine’s constitution, holding national elections while the country is under martial law is illegal. Russian forces are also occupying parts of Ukrainian territory, making elections impossible.
Yet, Putin has continued with his claims that successors could challenge any peace agreements signed by the current government in Kyiv, urging what he said was a vote to elect “a viable government that enjoys the trust of the people, and then begin negotiations with them on a peace treaty.”
Putin added that external governance is “one of the options,” but didn’t elaborate.
The Russian president’s latest statement sparked strong reactions from Kyiv, with Ukrainian presidential advisor Dmytro Lytvyn stating on X that if Putin is unclear who he should speak to regarding peace talks, he might need “pills to kickstart his brain activity.”
It comes shortly after the conclusion of a summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, which considered plans to send troops to Ukraine in an effort to reach a peace deal.
Several nations expressed they wanted to be part of the force, Macron said on Thursday. However, not all European allies agreed on the proposed force.
The Kremlin said it wouldn’t accept troops from NATO members as part of a prospective peacekeeping force.
Meanwhile, Russia has also proposed several conditions, including lifting some of the sanctions against it, countering the US-announced ceasefire on the Black Sea.
In turn, Kyiv has accused Putin and Moscow of making further unattainable demands to delay deciding on a peace deal.
