In a bold and alarming statement on March 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Ukrainian military generals to remove President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from power, calling for the establishment of a “transitional administration” in Ukraine.
Putin’s remarks, made during an Arctic forum, indicated his continuing goal to install a Moscow-friendly government in Kyiv, something he has long sought since the invasion began in 2022.
Putin’s appeal to Ukraine’s military leaders comes as US President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
This shift in US foreign policy, with Trump’s return to office, has emboldened Moscow, as threats of reduced American support for Ukraine stir uncertainty in Kyiv.
The Russian president emphasized the need for a new, “competent government” in Ukraine, claiming that only such a regime would have the trust of the Ukrainian people.
He suggested that a democratic election could be organized under the supervision of the UN, followed by peace talks with the new leadership.
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This rhetoric reflects Putin’s long-standing desire to install a government more amenable to Russia, a vision that has been central to Moscow’s actions throughout the conflict.
Putin also renewed his accusations against Zelenskyy, calling him a “neo-Nazi” and a “drug addict”—claims that have been widely dismissed as unsubstantiated.
This reflects the ongoing campaign to delegitimize Zelenskyy, with Moscow questioning his presidency’s legitimacy, especially as his initial term nears its end in 2024.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov further justified Putin’s comments, claiming that Ukraine’s leadership has “total lack of control” over its army, which continues to target Russian energy sites.
While Russia has reportedly refrained from attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure recently, Peskov hinted that this restraint may end if Kyiv continues its actions.
