Russia is escalating its rhetoric against Ukraine’s leadership, claiming President Volodymyr Zelensky has lost command over his armed forces. The accusation was used to justify President Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that Ukraine should be placed under a transitional administration backed by the United Nations and major world powers.
As reported by Digi24, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov argued that recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure prove Zelensky’s inability to enforce orders. “We observe a total lack of control over the armed forces of Ukraine,” he said.
Putin first floated the idea Thursday night in a conversation with sailors in Murmansk, calling for foreign-managed elections to produce a leadership Moscow would recognize as legitimate.
Kyiv and allies slam the proposal
Ukraine responded sharply to the claims and proposal. Presidential adviser Dmytro Litvin suggested Putin might need “pills to restart his brain,” referencing what he called the absurdity of Russia questioning Ukrainian sovereignty while continuing to launch missile strikes on civilian infrastructure.
Litvin pointed to two confirmed Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy targets just hours before the comments, despite ongoing talks of a ceasefire mediated by the U.S. “They are bombing while discussing peace,” he said.
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The U.S. rejected the Kremlin's proposal outright. A National Security Council spokesperson stated that Ukraine’s governance is determined by its own people under its constitution. The European Commission echoed the sentiment, affirming that Zelensky was “elected legitimately and democratically.”
Russia’s narrative contradicts battlefield activity
Putin’s comments follow Russia’s refusal to commit to a proposed 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine accepted on March 11. Despite this, Russian strikes have continued, including recent hits on civilian sites in Kherson.
Officials in Kyiv say Moscow is using negotiations to stall while pursuing maximalist aims. European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper underscored that “Putin is a war criminal,” adding that Brussels will not dignify Kremlin propaganda with engagement.
Russia’s claims about Zelensky’s legitimacy come as Ukraine remains under martial law, which prohibits elections during wartime. With millions displaced and daily bombardments ongoing, Ukrainian officials maintain that talk of political transition under foreign administration is a distraction from the real aggressor: the Kremlin.
