Putin Urges Ukrainian Generals to Overthrow Zelenskyy
Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on Ukraine’s military generals to overthrow President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and establish a transitional administration, asserting that his forces would “finish off” Ukrainian troops.
Putin made these remarks on Friday, March 28, during an Arctic forum, emphasizing that Russia was open to discussing with the United States, Europe, and Moscow’s allies, under the auspices of the United Nations, the possibility of forming a new Ukrainian administration.
His statement comes amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The evolving relationship between Washington and Moscow since Trump’s return to office, coupled with his threats to withdraw support for Kyiv, has emboldened Putin more than three years into the conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives on both sides.
Putin framed his proposal as a path to a “democratic presidential election” that would bring a “competent government” to power, capable of negotiating a legitimate peace agreement with Russia. His renewed push for a regime change underscores the Kremlin’s long-standing ambition to install a pro-Moscow leadership in Kyiv.
Moscow initially aimed to capture Kyiv within days when it launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, but Ukraine’s resistance thwarted those plans. Despite his repeated claims that Zelenskyy lacks legitimacy—particularly after his initial five-year term ended in May 2024—Ukraine’s constitution prohibits elections during wartime, a stance supported even by Zelenskyy’s political opponents.
Putin also reiterated his accusations against Zelenskyy, labeling him a neo-Nazi and drug addict without providing evidence. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov defended Putin’s call, claiming it stemmed from Kyiv’s “lack of control” over its military, which he alleged has been attempting daily attacks on Russian energy sites.
Peskov further asserted that, despite multiple accusations from Ukraine that Russia has targeted its energy infrastructure, Moscow had been observing a moratorium on such strikes. However, he warned that if Ukraine continued its operations, Russia reserved the right to retaliate.
Putin’s remarks highlight Moscow’s continued pressure on Kyiv and the shifting geopolitical landscape as the war drags on, with new diplomatic and military calculations shaping the conflict’s trajectory.
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