On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his call for the establishment of a “transitional administration” in Ukraine and declared that his military would “finish off” Ukrainian troops, marking a new hardline stance as U.S. President Donald Trump advocates for a ceasefire.
Since Trump’s return to office, there has been a thaw in U.S.-Russia relations, with Trump’s threats to cut support for Ukraine strengthening Putin’s resolve more than three years into an offensive that has claimed tens of thousands of lives on both sides.
Putin’s latest comments targeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reflect his ongoing objective to replace Ukraine’s leadership with a government more aligned with Moscow. Speaking at an Arctic forum early Friday, Putin suggested that Russia, the U.S., Europe, and Moscow’s allies could discuss, under the auspices of the UN, the establishment of a transitional administration in Ukraine.
“The goal would be to organize democratic elections for a new president, one who would earn the people’s trust and lead a competent government. Then, we could begin peace negotiations with these authorities and sign legitimate documents,” Putin stated.
When Russia initiated its offensive in 2022, it sought a quick capture of Kyiv but was repelled by Ukraine’s smaller forces. Putin also publicly urged Ukrainian generals to overthrow Zelensky, whom he has regularly accused, without evidence, of being a neo-Nazi and a drug addict.
Moscow has consistently questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy, especially after his five-year mandate expired in May 2024. However, under Ukrainian law, elections are suspended during major military conflict, and Zelensky’s political opponents have agreed that elections should not occur until the war ends.
Putin, who has been in power for 25 years and has consistently won unopposed elections, has frequently criticized Ukraine for lacking true democratic practices.
“Finish Them Off”
Later on Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov elaborated on Putin’s comments, claiming that they were driven by Moscow’s belief that the Ukrainian leadership had completely lost control over its military, which, according to Peskov, is regularly attempting to attack Russian energy infrastructure.
For the time being, Russia has refrained from targeting Ukrainian energy facilities, despite multiple claims by Kyiv that these facilities have been struck. Peskov warned that Russia might abandon this restraint if the Ukrainian government does not honor a self-imposed moratorium on attacks.
On the battlefield, Russia’s defense ministry reported new territorial gains, with its troops taking a village in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region and reclaiming a border settlement in the Kursk region. These advances came after Putin encouraged his forces to capitalize on their superior manpower and weaponry.
“We will finish them off,” Putin asserted on Friday. “We are progressing toward achieving all the goals of the special operation, not as quickly as some may want, but steadily and confidently.”
The Path to Peace
Putin has repeatedly rejected a joint U.S.-Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional ceasefire and has been accused by Ukraine of stalling talks with the U.S. without any intention of halting his offensive.
Andriy Yermak, Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff, responded to the latest attacks by accusing Russia of deliberately prolonging the war and derailing efforts toward peace.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has started to direct its ire at Europe, accusing European leaders of blocking progress in peace talks between Russia and the U.S.
On Friday, Peskov criticized the European Union for refusing to lift sanctions on a Russian agricultural bank as a condition for renewing a deal ensuring safe passage through the Black Sea.
“If European countries don’t want to pursue peace in cooperation with Moscow and Washington, it shows they are not aligned with the path to peace,” Peskov concluded.
