Russian President Vladimir Putin has intensified his rhetoric against Ukraine, calling for a “transitional administration” in the war-torn country while vowing to “finish off” Ukrainian troops. The remarks come amid a shifting geopolitical landscape, with U.S. President Donald Trump pushing for a ceasefire and signaling a potential thaw in relations between Washington and Moscow.
Speaking at an Arctic forum on Friday, Putin suggested that Russia, alongside the United States, Europe, and its allies, could negotiate under the United Nations to establish an interim government in Ukraine. According to Putin, this would pave the way for democratic elections and bring in a leadership that has “the confidence of the people.” The statement reinforces Putin’s long-standing objective of installing a pro-Russian government in Kyiv.
Since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022, Russia has sought to seize control of Ukraine swiftly, but it faced unexpected resistance from Ukraine’s military. Now, Putin appears to be doubling down on his strategy, urging Ukraine’s generals to overthrow President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he has repeatedly and baselessly accused of being a neo-Nazi and drug addict.
Moscow has also questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy, arguing that his term officially ended in May 2024. However, under Ukrainian law, elections are suspended during wartime, and Zelensky’s domestic opponents agree that holding elections amid ongoing conflict is unfeasible.
Military Advances and Rising Tensions
On the battlefield, Russia has claimed new territorial gains, particularly in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region and along the Russian border in the Kursk region. This follows Putin’s call for his forces to capitalize on their numerical and firepower advantages.
“I was saying not so long ago: ‘We will finish them off.’ There are reasons to believe that we will finish them off,” Putin declared on Friday, reaffirming his commitment to achieving Russia’s original military objectives.
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported a massive overnight assault, with Russia firing 163 drones, causing fires at infrastructure and agricultural sites. Kyiv has accused Moscow of repeatedly violating its supposed moratorium on attacking energy facilities.
As tensions escalate, the Kremlin has also sought to pressure European leaders, blaming them for obstructing potential U.S.-Russia peace talks. Moscow insists that the EU’s refusal to lift sanctions on a Russian agricultural bank hinders negotiations over a Black Sea grain deal.
With no clear resolution in sight, Ukraine’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, condemned Russia’s actions, stating, “Russia is trying to derail the path to peace by choosing to continue the war.”
