Russia demands that Ukraine be placed under “foreign administration”. What would be its purpose, in Moscow's view
Mihail Galuzin, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Photo: Alexander Ryumin / Zuma Press / Profimedia
Russia has taken up an idea initially advanced by President Vladimir Putin in March last year regarding the placement of Ukraine under an international administration led by the UN, a message sent on Sunday before the resumption next week of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations mediated by the US, reports the DPA agency, taken over by Agerpres.
Russia is ready to discuss with the US, Europe and other countries about a foreign administration in Ukraine, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told TASS. “Such a step would make it possible to hold democratic elections in Ukraine, the coming to power of a capable government with which a complete peace treaty could be signed, along with legitimate documents on future interstate cooperation,” argued the Russian diplomat.
This position is part of Russia's presentation of Ukraine as a dysfunctional state led by an illegitimate president, Volodymyr Zelensky, whose term has expired, but the martial law imposed with the Russian invasion allows no elections to be held as long as the war continues. Moreover, Zelenskiy claims that a truce lasting at least two months would be needed before any elections can be held, while Russia claims that any truce would allow the Ukrainian army to rebuild its forces.
International transitional administrations also existed after the end of the armed conflicts in East Timor, Cambodia, Iraq or Kosovo. However, in Ukraine the state institutions are operational.
Trump asks Zelenskiy to “move” to reach a peace deal with Russia
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky will miss an opportunity for peace if he does not “move”, saying that Russia wants to make a deal in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, writes Reuters.
The US president's remarks come ahead of a new round of tripartite negotiations next week. “Russia wants to make a deal, and Zelenskiy is going to have to move. Otherwise, he's going to miss a big opportunity. He has to move,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
After nearly four years of war and despite President Donald Trump's intense efforts to end what he calls a senseless “bloodbath,” Russia and Ukraine still remain far apart on key issues, including the territorial issue and control of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, notes Agerpres.
The new round of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will take place on February 17-18, in Geneva, Switzerland, the Russian state agency Interfax announced. US representatives are also expected at the negotiations.
