Rferl | Friday, March 28, 2025 
Putin Suggests Temporary Administration For Ukraine To Move Toward Ending War

Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested Ukraine could be placed under a form of temporary international administration to allow for elections and the signing of key accords. The long-term goal of such an administration would be reaching a settlement to end the war, Putin said during a visit to the Northern Fleet in Murmansk on March 28, according to Russian news agencies. “This is just one of the options. I am not saying that there are no others,” Putin said, speaking after talks in Paris about how to firm up Ukraine’s position on and off the battlefield. The idea could be implemented “under the auspices of the UN, the USA, with European countries” and with “partners and friends” of Russia, Putin said. The goal would be “to hold democratic elections and bring to power a capable government enjoying the trust of the people and then to start talks with them about a peace treaty,” Putin said. Putin has long complained that Ukraine’s authorities are not a legitimate negotiating partner because President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has remained in power beyond the end of his five-year mandate. – No Elections Under Martial Law – Elections were to be held in May 2024, but under Ukrainian law Zelenskyy remains president until new elections are held. But they cannot be held under martial law, which the country has been under since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022. Putin repeated that he views the current leadership of Ukraine as illegitimate and he is therefore resistant to signing any documents with it…Read more