The U.S. has rejected Vladimir Putin’s proposal that an interim government be installed in Ukraine prior to serious peace talks.
On Thursday, the Russian president said that a temporary administration could be established under the supervision of the United Nations, the U.S., as well as other “European countries and our partners.”
He claimed that the UN’s involvement in East Timor, New Guinea and parts of the former Yugoslavia were precedents.
But the White House spokesperson dismissed Putin’s call, saying that the governance of Ukraine is determined by its constitution and the people of the country.
Moscow has repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of Ukraine’s government, stating on several occasions that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s term expired in May 2024.
Ukrainian law, however, does not allow for elections in times of war. Last month, the parliament in Kyiv passed a resolution declaring that the country will hold presidential elections only after “a comprehensive, just and lasting peace” is secured.
But Putin said, in comments reported by Russian news agencies, that elections should be held in Ukraine under international supervision to “bring to power a capable government that enjoys the people’s trust,” which could then start “talks on a peace treaty.”
“It is still not clear with whom to sign certain documents, and it is still not clear what power they have, because tomorrow other leaders will come... through elections,” Putin claimed.
While Ukraine has already agreed to the conditions of America’s proposal for a 30-day blanket ceasefire, Moscow has been accused of dragging its heels by making wide-ranging demands as a condition for entering serious negotiations.
Writing on X on Friday morning, the head of Zelenskyy’s office, Andriy Yermak, said that Russia was “trying to derail the path to peace by choosing to continue the war.”
He claimed that the UN’s involvement in East Timor, New Guinea and parts of the former Yugoslavia were precedents.
But the White House spokesperson dismissed Putin’s call, saying that the governance of Ukraine is determined by its constitution and the people of the country.
Moscow has repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of Ukraine’s government, stating on several occasions that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s term expired in May 2024.
Ukrainian law, however, does not allow for elections in times of war. Last month, the parliament in Kyiv passed a resolution declaring that the country will hold presidential elections only after “a comprehensive, just and lasting peace” is secured.
But Putin said, in comments reported by Russian news agencies, that elections should be held in Ukraine under international supervision to “bring to power a capable government that enjoys the people’s trust,” which could then start “talks on a peace treaty.”
“It is still not clear with whom to sign certain documents, and it is still not clear what power they have, because tomorrow other leaders will come... through elections,” Putin claimed.
While Ukraine has already agreed to the conditions of America’s proposal for a 30-day blanket ceasefire, Moscow has been accused of dragging its heels by making wide-ranging demands as a condition for entering serious negotiations.
Writing on X on Friday morning, the head of Zelenskyy’s office, Andriy Yermak, said that Russia was “trying to derail the path to peace by choosing to continue the war.”
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