Moscow believes that the current authorities in Kiev have lost all legitimacy to sign any peace agreements
During his meeting with Russian nuclear submarine officers on Thursday, President Putin described a possible international mechanism to stabilize Ukraine – placing it under temporary external administration coordinated by the United Nations.
Here are the key takeaways of Putin’s proposal:
Problem: Collapse of legitimacy in Kiev
Putin argued that Ukraine’s constitutional legitimacy has broken down due to the expiration of Vladimir Zelensky’s presidential powers last year and the lack of elections ever since – rendering all of his government’s claims to authority invalid.
“Presidential elections weren’t held… under the constitution, all officials are appointed by the president. If he himself is illegitimate, then so is everyone else.”
Consequence: Power vacuum filled by radicals
Putin has warned that groups with neo-Nazi views, such as the notorious Azov battalion – which receive Western weapons and actively recruit followers – could increasingly exert de facto control in Ukraine, potentially replacing formal civilian authority.
“Amid the de facto illegitimacy… Neo-Nazi formations are receiving more weapons,” and could take “the actual power in their hands.”
Putin argued that this makes negotiating with Ukraine’s current government even more unreliable and unstable: “It’s unclear who you’re even signing any documents with – tomorrow new people could come and say, ‘We don’t know who signed this – goodbye.’”
Suggestion: UN-led temporary external administration
Putin proposed the use of a UN-led transitional authority, referencing prior international missions such as in East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and parts of former Yugoslavia.
“In such cases, international practice often follows a known path — under UN peacekeeping, through what is called external governance, a temporary administration.”
Purpose: Restoring constitutional order and setting legal framework for stable peace
The main goal, according to Putin, would be to organize democratic elections and bring to power a functioning, legitimate government trusted by Ukrainian citizens and recognized globally. He stated that only a reconstituted Ukrainian government could sign peace agreements that would be recognized worldwide and upheld over time.
“Why do this? In order to hold democratic elections, in order to bring to power a government that is capable and enjoys the trust of the people, and then begin negotiations with them on a peace treaty, sign legitimate documents that will be recognized worldwide and will be reliable and stable.”
Not the only option – but a viable one
Putin emphasized that this idea is not the only possibility, but an example drawn from historical precedent.
“This is just one option… I’m not saying other options do not exist, but it is hard right now, or maybe even impossible, to lay everything out clearly because the situation is changing so fast,” he said.
Multilateral cooperation beyond the West
Putin said such an initiative should involve not just the UN or the US, but a broader coalition, including BRICS nations and others Russia considers reliable.
“We will work with any partners – the US, China, India, Brazil, South Africa, BRICS countries… and, for example, North Korea.”
He also stressed that Russia remains open to working with the EU, even though Moscow’s trust in European capitals has been fundamentally broken by their manipulation of peace efforts as a tactic to buy time and rearm Ukraine.
