MURMANSK, Russia (AFP) — President Vladimir Putin said Friday that his troops could finish off Ukrainians in the frontline and suggested the replacement of the Kyiv government that will negotiate for a peace pact.
Speaking Friday in the northwestern city of Murmansk, Putin said “along the entire frontline, our forces have the strategic initiative.”
“There are reasons to believe that we will finish them off,” he said, adding that “the Ukrainian people themselves should understand what is happening.”
He also raised the idea of a “transitional administration” for Ukraine.
“We could, of course, discuss with the United States, even with European countries, and of course with our partners and friends, under the auspices of the UN, the possibility of establishing a transitional administration in Ukraine,” Putin said.
“What for? To organize a democratic presidential election that would result in the coming to power of a competent government that would have the confidence of the people, and then begin negotiations with these authorities on a peace agreement and sign legitimate documents,” he said.