Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on Ukrainian military generals to overthrow President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urging the establishment of a “transitional administration” in Ukraine, and vowing that Russia’s army would “finish off” Ukrainian troops.
These hardline statements come as U.S. President Donald Trump advocates for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Trump’s push for peace and his threats to halt U.S. support for Kyiv have strengthened Putin’s position over three years into the conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives on both sides.
Putin’s renewed call to remove Zelenskyy reflects his ongoing desire to install a pro-Moscow government in Kyiv. Speaking on the sidelines of an Arctic forum early on Friday, March 28, Putin suggested that Russia could discuss with the U.S., Europe, and its allies, under the auspices of the UN, the possibility of setting up a transitional administration in Ukraine.
“What for? To organize a democratic presidential election that would bring to power a competent government with the people’s confidence, and then begin negotiations with these authorities on a peace agreement and sign legitimate documents,” Putin said.
When Russia launched its offensive in 2022, it aimed to seize the Kyiv government quickly but was repelled by Ukraine’s smaller army.
Putin also made a public appeal for Ukraine’s generals to overthrow Zelenskyy, whom he has frequently denigrated, without evidence, as a neo-Nazi and drug addict. Moscow has also questioned Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s president after his initial five-year term ends in May 2024.
Under Ukrainian law, elections are suspended during major military conflicts, and Zelenskyy’s domestic opponents have said no ballots should take place until after the war. Putin, who has been in power for 25 years, has frequently criticized Ukraine’s democratic status throughout the conflict.
In response to Putin’s remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed it was driven by Moscow’s belief that Ukraine’s leadership lacks control over its army, which he accused of attacking Russian energy sites “on a daily basis.”
Peskov added that “at the moment,” Russia is sticking to its commitment not to target Ukrainian energy facilities, despite multiple claims by Kyiv, including one made today, that Russia has attacked them. “The Russian side reserves the right, if the Kyiv regime does not observe the moratorium, to also not follow it,” he said.
