On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded the creation of a “transitory administration” in Ukraine and pledged that his military would “wrap up” with Ukrainian forces. These aggressive statements come as US President Donald Trump advocates for a truce, according to reports from AFP.

Putin’s comments were made as the continuing conflict persisted, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties and sustained tension between Moscow and Kyiv.

While speaking at the margins of an Arctic conference during the early hours of Friday, Putin mentioned that Russia might talk with the United States, Europe, along with Moscow’s partners about “under the UN’s supervision, the potential for setting up a transitional authority in Ukraine.”

“Why bother? To hold a fair presidential election that leads to the establishment of an effective government gaining popular support, and subsequently start talks with this administration regarding a peace accord and endorse valid agreements,” Putin further explained.

This demand for replacing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is part of an ongoing Russian campaign to establish a regime in Kyiv that would be more amenable to Moscow’s interests.

Zelensky, who has faced relentless criticism from Putin, brushed aside these suggestions as yet another effort to postpone peace.

Zelensky responded by reaffirming that Putin’s moves were still obstructing efforts to reach a resolution and end the conflict.

The Russian leader has consistently challenged Zelensky’s legitimacy, labeling him as a neo-Nazi and accusing him of being a drug user, claims that lack substantiation.

From the start of the conflict, Moscow has argued that Ukraine lacks genuine democratic credentials. This assertion stands in contrast to Ukraine’s legislative structure, which mandates the suspension of elections when at war.

Zelensky’s administration has dismissed any proposals for conducting elections as long as the conflict continues.

When asked about Putin’s comments later on Friday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that this stance was driven by Moscow’s perception of the Ukrainian leadership’s “complete loss of control” over their military. He alleged that the Ukrainian forces were attempting daily assaults on Russian energy facilities.

During the continuing military operations, Russia announced certain territorial gains, stating they have seized control of a village in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region as well as a border settlement in Kursk, Russia.

Putin has urged his forces to keep pushing forward, stating that they would “wrap up” with the Ukrainian soldiers.

As an indication of the substantial price of the conflict, Kyiv announced on Friday that it had received 909 bodies of slain Ukrainian soldiers—the highest number recorded so far.

In diplomacy, Russia has likewise condemned EU officials for hindering advancements toward a possible truce accord.

Moscow asserts that the European Union’s decision not to remove sanctions from a Russian agricultural bank is impeding peace negotiations with the United States.

In addition, Zelensky stated that Ukraine was presented with a fresh proposition by the United States concerning its minerals.

The proposed pact would grant the United States access to Ukraine’s natural resources in return for increased military assistance.

Zelensky pointed out that the deal required examination by legal specialists since it originally did not offer adequate safeguards for Ukraine.

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