Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called for a temporary government in Ukraine under the supervision of the United Nations to allow for new elections in the country, stating that the new regime would be “trusted by the people” and that peace negotiations could be held with the administration.

Putin said that “legitimate documents” on ending the over three-year-long war could be signed with the new government that would be recognised globally, hinting at his unwillingness to talk to the current Zelenskyy regime.

Questioning incumbent President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s authority and legitimacy, he said that it was not clear with whom Russia has to sign the documents as “other leaders will come tomorrow”.

“It is still not clear with whom to sign certain documents, and it is still not clear what power they have, because tomorrow other leaders will come… through elections. There is such a practice. And in principle, of course, it would be possible, under the auspices of the United Nations, with the United States, even with European countries, of course, with our partners and friends, to discuss the possibility of introducing interim administration in Ukraine,” Putin said in the northern port of Murmansk.

“This would be in order to hold democratic elections and bring to power a capable government enjoying the trust of the people and then to start talks with them about a peace treaty, to sign legitimate documents that will be recognised worldwide,” Putin said.

He said that the current Ukrainian authorities are illegal as the elections were not held in the country after the end of Zelenskyy’s term last year.

“If he himself (Zelenskyy) is illegitimate, then all the others are too,” Putin said, as per Kyiv Independent.

His remarks on the temporary government fell in line with his long-held complaint that Zelenskyy’s authority as a negotiating partner is illegitimate as he has remained in power beyond the end of his tenure since May 2024. Notably, no polls can be held in Ukraine due to the imposition of martial law that has been in place for three years in the country. In February, the Ukrainian Parliament passed a resolution reaffirming Zelenskyy’s legitimacy with a clear majority.

Putin further said that Russia was steadily moving towards achieving its goals in the ongoing conflict.

He also lauded US President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war and his attempts to hold direct talks with Russia — in contrast with his predecessor Joe Biden — and said that this shows that Trump wanted peace.