Russian President Vladimir Putin has put forward a proposal to temporarily place Ukraine under external governance as part of peace negotiations, underscoring his resolve to achieve Russia’s objectives in the ongoing conflict. During a televised address, Putin reiterated his assertion that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose presidential term ended the previous year, lacks the authority to sign a peace agreement. Ukraine’s constitution prohibits national elections while martial law is in effect. Putin argued that any agreement made with the current Ukrainian government might be contested by future administrations and proposed that elections could be conducted under external governance.
He suggested that under the supervision of the United Nations and with the involvement of the United States, European countries, and other allies, there could be discussions on introducing temporary governance in Ukraine. This, Putin claimed, would facilitate democratic elections and establish a credible government that commands public trust, setting the stage for peace negotiations. He noted that this was merely one of several possible options, without delving into further detail.
Zelenskyy outright dismissed Putin’s proposal, calling it an excuse to continue the conflict. In a media briefing, Zelenskyy accused Putin of fearing direct negotiations with Ukraine and tried to delegitimize the Ukrainian government by advocating for external governance. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a summit focused on deploying troops to Ukraine as part of efforts to reach a peace deal. Macron noted interest from several countries to join such a mission alongside France and Britain, although Russia has expressed strong opposition to NATO troops forming part of any peacekeeping force.
Putin’s remarks followed accusations from Macron and other summit participants who claimed Russia was not genuinely interested in negotiations, arguing that Moscow was buying time. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized these tactics. In this context, Zelenskyy lauded Europe’s resolve to bolster security for itself and Ukraine.
Both Russia and Ukraine have tentatively agreed, under U.S. mediation, to halt strikes on energy infrastructure, but disagreements remain regarding the timeline and enforcement of this ceasefire. Each country has accused the other of violating the terms, complicating broader peace negotiations. Zelenskyy highlighted the need for clear monitoring mechanisms and shared reservations about the current lack of verification measures, expressing the necessity for coordinated monitoring efforts involving the U.S. and other nations.
Attacks continue despite the truce, as evidenced by Ukraine’s air force reports that Russia launched 163 drones on Ukrainian territory, a significant number of which were neutralized. These attacks inflicted damage on several residential structures and injured a young resident in Zaporizhzhia, with more damage reported across multiple regions. Ukraine’s national gas provider, Naftogaz, also reported being targeted by Russian forces.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed Ukrainian forces destroyed a gas metering station in the Kursk region using U.S.-supplied rockets and conducted another strike on an energy facility in the Bryansk region. Additionally, Russia shot down 19 Ukrainian drones allegedly targeting an oil refinery. The ministry accused Ukraine of deceitfully claiming to honor the ceasefire to gain military advantages with European support.
In response, Ukraine’s military denounced these claims as false information intended to undermine Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts. The General Staff insisted its military actions remain in accordance with the peace agreements, targeting only military installations in Russia. They accused Russia of continuing to target Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent attacks.
On the battlefield, Russian forces have made gradual advances along the extensive frontline, while Zelenskyy accused Russia of stalling negotiations to prepare for larger military operations. Putin remarked on Russia’s progress, emphasizing readiness for a peaceful resolution while insisting on addressing the underlying causes of the conflict. Zelenskyy admitted difficulties on the battlefield but confirmed the situation remains manageable. He noted Ukraine’s military efforts in Russia’s bordering regions to thwart potential Russian offensives in Ukraine’s eastern and southern areas.