Putin Proposes UN Temporarily Governing Ukraine to Facilitate Fair Elections

In a recent address, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that Ukraine be temporarily governed by the United Nations, with the assistance of multiple countries, in order to organize fair elections. The proposal comes as Ukraine faces political uncertainty, especially after President Volodymyr Zelensky's term officially expires in May 2024. Putin has repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of the current authorities in Kiev, given the lack of elections.

During a speech to the sailors aboard the Arkhangelsk nuclear submarine on Thursday night, Putin argued that Moscow sees no clear way to negotiate with the Ukrainian government, as there may be new leadership in place soon. "Other leaders might come tomorrow," he remarked, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the political situation in Ukraine.

He further emphasized that international norms dictate the use of peacekeeping missions and temporary administrations in such situations. Drawing on past instances of external management, Putin pointed to the role of the United Nations in guiding countries through transitional periods. He proposed that external powers, under the UN’s auspices, should oversee the electoral process in Ukraine, aiming to create a government that truly represents the will of the people.

Once a legitimate and trusted government is established, Putin suggested that the new leadership could engage in negotiations with Moscow to work toward a peace agreement—one that would be recognized and respected globally, bringing lasting stability to the region.

However, Putin made it clear that this proposal for UN governance is not the only potential solution. He stressed that while Russia supports peaceful conflict resolution, it will not do so at the expense of its own interests. "In general, we support resolving conflicts peacefully, including this one, but not at our expense," he asserted.

The diplomatic landscape surrounding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen recent developments. The United States recently brokered a partial ceasefire agreement between the two nations, which includes a moratorium on attacks targeting energy infrastructure. Ukrainian President Zelensky has voiced his support for this 30-day ceasefire, which is expected to involve reciprocal suspensions of attacks.

However, the Russian Ministry of Defense has reported several violations by Ukraine, particularly concerning energy infrastructure, claiming that these actions undermine US President Donald Trump’s mediation efforts. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, on Wednesday, reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement, despite the Ukrainian breaches. He emphasized that the agreement is viewed as a positive diplomatic step in engaging with the Trump administration.

In a related development, earlier this week, US officials met separately with Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia. After these talks, Moscow expressed its willingness to revive the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a deal initially mediated by the UN and Turkey, which expired in 2023. This gesture indicates that both sides are still engaged in diplomatic efforts to find a path forward, even amidst the ongoing conflict.

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