Putin suggests temporary administration for Ukraine to end war

Putin's comments come amid US attempts to forge a settlement to the conflict by re-establishing links with Russia

Russian president Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Presidential Council for Culture and Art via videoconference at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Picture: Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Russian president Vladimir Putin suggested Ukraine be placed under a form of temporary administration to allow for new elections and the signature of key accords to reach a settlement in the war, Russian news agencies reported early on Friday.

Putin's comments, during a visit to the northern port of Murmansk, come amid US attempts to forge a settlement to the conflict by re-establishing links with Russia and engaging with both Moscow and Kyiv, in separate talks.