Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged Ukrainian generals to overthrow President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, proposing the establishment of a “transitional administration” in Ukraine. He pledged that his military would “finish off” Ukrainian forces.
These stern remarks come as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
With Trump’s return to office, a warming of relations between Washington and Moscow, along with the U.S. leader’s threats to halt support for Kyiv, has strengthened Putin’s confidence more than three years into a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives on both sides.
Putin’s renewed appeal for Zelenskyy’s removal further underscores the Kremlin’s long-standing ambition to install a more Moscow-aligned government in Kyiv.
Speaking early Friday, March 28, at an Arctic forum, Putin suggested that Russia could engage in discussions with the United States, Europe, and its allies under the UN’s auspices regarding the possibility of setting up a transitional administration in Ukraine.
“For what purpose? To organize a democratic presidential election that would lead to the rise of a competent government trusted by the people, which could then engage in negotiations for a peace agreement and sign legitimate documents,” Putin stated.
When Russia launched its offensive in 2022, it intended to seize control of Kyiv’s government within days but was pushed back by Ukraine’s smaller military.
Putin also made a direct appeal to Ukraine’s military leaders to depose Zelenskyy, whom he has frequently disparaged—without offering evidence—as a neo-Nazi and drug addict. Moscow has additionally cast doubt on Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as president, given that his initial five-year term ended in May 2024.
According to Ukrainian law, elections are suspended during significant military conflicts. Zelenskyy’s domestic opponents have uniformly agreed that no elections should take place until after the war.
Despite having been in power for 25 years and consistently winning elections without real competition, Putin has repeatedly accused Ukraine of lacking democratic governance.
When asked about Putin’s statements, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed they stemmed from Moscow’s perception of the Ukrainian leadership’s “total lack of control” over its military, which he accused of attempting daily attacks on Russian energy sites.
Peskov added that, for now, Russia was adhering to its commitment not to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure—despite Kyiv’s repeated allegations, including today, that Russia had launched attacks on such sites.
“The Russian side reserves the right to abandon the moratorium if the Kyiv regime fails to uphold it,” Peskov warned.
