Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for Ukrainian military leaders to overthrow President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and install a “transitional administration” in Ukraine. He vowed that Russian forces would “finish off” Ukrainian troops. These harsh remarks come as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Since Trump’s return to office, there has been a shift toward rapprochement between Washington and Moscow, with Trump’s threats to stop supporting Kyiv bolstering Putin’s confidence more than three years into an offensive that has claimed tens of thousands of lives on both sides.
Putin’s renewed call for the ousting of Zelenskyy highlights his long-standing desire to replace the Ukrainian leadership with a government more favorable to Moscow. In a speech during an Arctic forum on March 28, Putin suggested that Russia could discuss with the U.S., Europe, and its allies—under the UN’s auspices—the possibility of creating a transitional government in Ukraine. He argued that the goal would be to organize democratic presidential elections, leading to the establishment of a government that would have the people’s trust and pave the way for peace talks and a legitimate agreement.
When Russia launched its offensive in 2022, it aimed to topple the Kyiv government within days but was repelled by Ukraine’s forces. Putin also publicly urged Ukraine’s generals to overthrow Zelenskyy, whom he has repeatedly insulted, without evidence, as a neo-Nazi and drug addict. Moscow has questioned Zelenskyy’s “legitimacy” as president, especially since his five-year term is set to end in May 2024.
Under Ukrainian law, elections are suspended during times of major military conflict, and Zelenskyy’s domestic opponents have consistently argued that no elections should take place until after the war.
Putin, who has been in power for 25 years and has faced no competition in elections, has frequently accused Ukraine of not being a democracy. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, when asked about Putin’s comments, claimed that they were prompted by what Moscow perceives as the Ukrainian leadership’s “total lack of control” over its military, which Russia accuses of daily attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Peskov also stated that Russia is currently adhering to a commitment not to target Ukrainian energy facilities, despite numerous claims from Kyiv, including on that day, of attacks. He added that if Ukraine does not respect this moratorium, Russia reserves the right to disregard it.