Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that Ukraine be placed under temporary UN administration to facilitate what he described as a more "competent" government. The proposal, seen as a challenge to Kyiv’s legitimacy, was swiftly rejected by Ukraine, which called it an attempt to stall peace efforts.

The remarks come as the United States continues to push for a ceasefire in the war, now in its fourth year. On Tuesday, the White House announced that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to a limited truce in the Black Sea. However, Moscow later introduced conditions, including the lifting of some Western sanctions, raising concerns that Russia was attempting to delay progress toward a broader ceasefire agreement.

Speaking in Murmansk to the crew of a nuclear-powered submarine, Putin suggested that a UN-led transitional administration could be discussed with international partners, including the US and Europe. He argued that such a measure would ensure democratic elections and a government with broad public support, paving the way for peace negotiations.

Moscow continues to assert that the Ukrainian government is illegitimate, citing President Volodymyr Zelensky’s extended term in office due to martial law. However, Kyiv has maintained that holding elections during wartime, with millions displaced and many citizens on the front lines, remains unfeasible.

A Kremlin spokesperson later clarified that Putin’s remarks reflected concerns over what Russia described as a "loss of control" in Kyiv, claiming that Ukraine's military was not following government directives. The Ukrainian government has denied these claims, insisting that Russian reports of ongoing attacks on energy infrastructure are misleading.

Putin cited past international examples, such as East Timor and the former Yugoslavia, as precedents for temporary UN administration. In response, Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, dismissed the suggestion, accusing Russia of seeking to prolong the conflict rather than pursue peace.

Meanwhile, the US reaffirmed its stance that Ukraine’s governance would be determined solely by its constitution and its people.

The Russian leader also reiterated Moscow’s claims of having the "strategic initiative" on the battlefield, despite limited territorial advances in eastern Ukraine. His comments followed a high-level meeting in Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron revealed new plans by France and the UK to bolster Ukraine’s security.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, with ongoing hostilities showing little sign of resolution.