Russian President Vladimir Putin said that placing Ukraine, which he invaded in 2022, under the rule of a transitional administration under the auspices of the UN in order to organize and hold elections should be considered as an option, world agencies reported.
"Such a practice exists and in principle, of course, the possibility of an interim UN administration can be discussed with the United States, European countries and, of course, also with our partners and friends“, Putin said during a meeting with military personnel at a nuclear submarine base.
The goal is to hold democratic elections, in which a government capable of acting in favor of the peace agreement comes to power.
"Then we will start negotiations on a peace treaty, we will sign legitimate documents that are recognized throughout the world and are safe and stable," Putin said.
The Russian government has repeatedly tried to discredit the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, DPA noted.
Zelensky's regular term expires in May 2024, but elections cannot be scheduled due to martial law, which has been in effect for three years. Putin has also repeatedly invoked Nazi imagery and used World War II rhetoric to justify Russia's invasion of Ukraine, although it has been widely reported that Zelensky is of Jewish origin, which contradicts Putin's claims.
In February, the Ukrainian parliament passed a resolution confirming Zelensky's legitimacy by an overwhelming majority. Many in Ukraine believe that holding elections amid an ongoing conflict would be impractical and unfair, as it would be difficult to guarantee the participation of servicemen and displaced civilians in the vote.
Internationally, Zelensky continues to be recognized as the legitimate president of Ukraine, DPA reports.
During his visit to a nuclear submarine base in Arkhangelsk, Putin also said that Russian forces have the strategic initiative along the entire front line in Ukraine, Agence France-Presse reported. He added that his country has every reason to believe that it will "finish off the enemy" and added that the Ukrainian people must figure out for themselves what is happening.