A White House National Security Council spokesperson reasserted U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal that the country be placed under a temporary U.S.-backed administration.
The Kremlin leader pushed for this idea to allow for new elections and the signature of key accords to reach a settlement in the war, according to Reuters.
The U.S. conducted separate peace talks with Moscow and Kyiv in Saudi Arabia, which led to a partial ceasefire in the Black Sea and an agreement to halt strikes on energy infrastructure.
Newsweek reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for comment via email.
Kirill Zykov/Associated Press
Why It Matters
A new presidential election in Ukraine has been a core demand from Russia in the Trump-brokered negotiations. Kyiv has pushed back, asserting Ukraine’s constitutional provision that states no election can be held while the country is at war.
The prospective election would likely exclude parts of Ukraine annexed by Russia, and would raise fears that Moscow could interfere and install a pro-Kremlin leader who would be more amenable to Russia’s terms to end the war.
What To Know
During a visit to the northern port of Murmansk on March 27, Putin said: “In principle, of course, a temporary administration could be introduced in Ukraine under the auspices of the U.N, the United States, European countries and our partners. This would be in order 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 added that, in his opinion, “the newly elected president of the United States sincerely wants an end to the conflict for a number of reasons,” in contrast to former President Joe Biden.
In response, the unidentified White House National Security Council spokesperson said that Ukraine’s constitution and citizens determine its governance.
These comments echo Putin’s previous unevidenced statements that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not a legitimate president, and that Kyiv should hold elections.
By law, Ukraine cannot hold elections during periods in which martial law is being upheld, as it has been since Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Zelensky was elected as president in 2019, and Ukraine’s presidential election was originally set for 2024 but was ultimately postponed due to the war.
President Donald Trump also reiterated these sentiments and pushed for Ukraine to hold elections in late February, leading to Zelensky’s response that the U.S. leader was living in “a disinformation space.” Trump fired back by calling Ukraine’s leader a “dictator without elections.”
Zelensky has repeatedly rejected demands for a new election, asserting his presidential mandate and highlighting the challenges of conducting a national vote during the war and occupation.
Ukraine’s Parliament affirmed his legitimacy and mandated that Kyiv would hold elections “after comprehensive, just and sustainable peace is ensured on its territory.”
While Putin and Trump have tried to question Zelensky’s legitimacy, the Russian president is widely considered as an authoritarian leader, and some critics on social media pushed for Moscow to hold elections.
What People Are Saying
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Daniel Szeligowski, the head of Eastern Europe program at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, wrote: “Here is, yet again, result of our indolence, of giving Russia a free hand in the information sphere. It is we who should be questioning Putin’s legitimacy and his dealmaking ability. Meanwhile, Putin feels much more confident now after talks with the US.”
In response to Putin’s comments, Helga Salemon, a Russia researcher, wrote on X: “Stalin: ‘No person, no problem.’ Putin: ‘No independent Ukraine, no problem.'”
Janis Kluge, the Deputy Head of Eastern Europe & Eurasia Division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, wrote on X: “This ‘temporary administration’ is Russia’s plan for regime change in Kyiv. At the least, Putin wants to further undermine Zelenskyy’s legitimacy. Any external meddling in Ukrainian politics would open up opportunities for Russia to destabilize Ukraine and destroy its democracy.”
Inna Sovsun, a member of Ukraine’s Parliament, wrote on X: “Putin suggests placing Ukraine under a UN-led interim government to hold ‘elections.’ This is nothing but a pathetic attempt by Russia to discredit Ukraine and portray it as a failed state. The only country that has desperately needed real elections for decades is Russia. Maybe then, the world could finally negotiate with a legitimate government instead of a dictator clinging to power.”
What Happens Next
Ukraine has not yet responded to Putin’s comments.
