Volodymyr Zelensky has been legally and democratically elected as president of Ukraine. Until Ukrainians demand elections, no one else can propose this, a European Commission spokesman said today at a press conference in response to questions related to statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin, BTA reported.
The fact is that Ukraine was attacked and is showing good will to achieve peace. That is why we support Ukraine so that there is a just and lasting peace, the spokesman added. Putin is a criminal and is wanted for the crimes he committed, he added.
Asked about Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's words that Washington and Moscow are negotiating over the interrupted Nord Stream gas pipeline, the spokesman pointed out that this is a private project in which the EU has no participation. This gas pipeline is not of pan-European interest and the EC's job is to monitor whether, if it goes into operation, EU legislation is complied with, he explained. The EU's goal is to end imports of Russian fossil fuels, the spokesman added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier that placing Ukraine, which he invaded in 2022, under the rule of a UN-sponsored transitional administration 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 a UN interim 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 servicemen 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 in the whole world and are safe and stable," Putin said.
The Russian government has repeatedly tried to discredit the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, DPA notes.