Russian President Vladimir Putin stirred headlines after he suggested that Ukraine could be placed under a form of temporary administration to allow fresh elections in the country. Putin was speaking in the northern port of Murmansk, where he argued that his new ally, US President Donald Trump sincerely wants to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Reuters reported. Despite ongoing ceasefire talks, Putin repeatedly mentioned in his speech that Russia is achieving its goals in the conflict.
Putin’s call for the establishment of a temporary administration in Ukraine appeared to support his longtime assertion that Ukrainian authorities are not a legitimate negotiating partner since the country’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has remained in power beyond his mandated deadline to call for elections, which was passed on May 24, 2024.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian side argues that no elections can be scheduled due to martial law that has been placed in the country since the start of the war three years ago. In light of this, the Ukrainian parliament in February passed a resolution reaffirming Zelenskyy’s legitimacy. The bill was passed with a clear majority, reflecting Zelenskyy’s popularity in the country.
Content retrieved from: https://www.firstpost.com/world/putin-proposes-formation-of-new-govt-in-kyiv-calls-for-elections-in-ukraine-before-truce-talks-13875175.html.
