Ukrainian officials had yet to respond to Putin's suggestion on its governance, although Zelenskyy has repeatedly accused the Kremlin of setting terms that amount to a surrender by Kyiv. While the Russian news agency Tass said Thursday that another round of Russian-American talks on Ukraine may take place in Riyadh in mid-April, Zelenskyy cast doubt over the integrity of future peace talks this week, suggesting in an interview with Time magazine that Russia had unduly influenced U.S. officials on the negotiating team. Zelenskyy on Wednesday also accused the Trump administration of "constantly changing" the terms of a minerals deal it is negotiating with Ukraine, which would see the U.S. get a 50% stake in Ukraine's mineral wealth and oil and gas reserves in exchange for military aid.
Washington has dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal that Ukraine should be put under temporary UN control, according to reports. Putin said this could be done until a "competent" government is elected, amid further talks on a ceasefire and long-term peace that would end Moscow's ongoing full-scale invasion, now in its fourth year. However, a White House National Security Council spokesperson responded to Putin's pitch on Friday by stating that governance in Ukraine was determined by its constitution, media reported. Putin once again took aim at the government in Kyiv and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom the Kremlin continues to accuse of being "illegitimate".
Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed Friday to temporarily put Ukraine under external governance as part of efforts to reach a peaceful settlement, in remarks that reflected the Kremlin leader's determination to achieve his war goals. In televised remarks broadcast early Friday, Putin reaffirmed his claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose term expired last year, lacks the legitimacy to sign a peace deal. Under Ukraine’s constitution it is illegal for the country to hold national elections while it's under martial law. Putin claimed that any agreement that is signed with the current Ukrainian government could be challenged by its successors and said new elections could be held under external governance.
