Putin issues surprising new demand to Zelenskyy in order to ‘speed up’ peace deal
Tensions continue to rise between Russia and Ukraine as Vladimir Putin makes a controversial new demand in ongoing peace negotiations. The Russian president has called for Volodymyr Zelenskyy to resign from office, claiming this would help speed up peace talks between the warring nations.
This unexpected development comes just days after both sides agreed to a temporary ceasefire in the Black Sea region, brokered with U.S. involvement.
Putin’s proposal suggests establishing an interim government in Ukraine under United Nations supervision until new elections could be held. “This would bring in a competent government trusted by the people,” the Russian leader stated.
However, Ukraine remains under martial law due to the ongoing conflict, making elections currently impossible under Ukrainian law.
Zelenskyy’s office quickly dismissed the demand, with senior advisor Andriy Yermak accusing Russia of attempting to “derail the path to peace” while continuing its aggressive military actions.
International reactions to Putin’s demand have been mixed. Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently spoke with Putin about the need for peace, with both agreeing that negotiations should begin immediately.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron, after meeting with Zelenskyy, strongly criticized Russia’s latest conditions. “There is just one aggressor here,” Macron stated, referring to Moscow’s continued military operations while making new political demands.
On the battlefield, Putin claims Russian forces now hold the strategic advantage and could potentially “finish off” Ukrainian troops if necessary. These comments come as Ukraine continues to plead for Western military support to counter Russian advances.
The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic efforts continuing alongside ongoing military operations.
Many analysts view Putin’s demand for Zelenskyy’s resignation as a non-starter for genuine peace negotiations, seeing it instead as an attempt to undermine Ukraine’s democratically elected leadership. As the war enters its third year, the path to lasting peace appears increasingly complicated by such political maneuvers from both sides.
