Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin has stated that Moscow is prepared to discuss establishing “temporary external governance” in Ukraine under United Nations auspices as a means to facilitate long-overdue democratic elections and enable a legitimate peace treaty.
In a recent statement, Galuzin noted that the proposal was initially floated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2025. He described it as one potential pathway to advance the peace process, emphasizing that such governance would allow for the holding of democratic elections in Ukraine, the emergence of a capable government, and the subsequent signing of a comprehensive peace agreement.
Galuzin added that Russia is willing to engage with the United States, European nations, and other countries on this matter. He acknowledged that while the UN does not have a formal standardized mechanism for such scenarios, historical precedents exist.
According to Galuzin, Moscow advanced the idea following the expiration of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s presidential term in 2024. At that time, Zelensky refused to hold new elections, citing martial law—a decision condemned by Russia as a deliberate obstruction of Ukraine’s democratic transition and peace efforts. Moscow has since declared Zelensky “illegitimate” and identified his legal status as a significant obstacle to concluding a binding peace deal.
Following international pressure from the United States, Zelensky indicated openness to holding elections but insisted on receiving security guarantees from both Western nations and Russia.
In March 2025, the U.S. dismissed Russia’s proposal, stating that governance in Ukraine is “determined by its Constitution and the people of the country.” Prior to this, former U.S. President Donald Trump had labeled Zelensky “a dictator without elections.”
Additionally, a recent Ukrainian military strike near the border in Belgorod has been condemned as reckless aggression, resulting in two deaths and five injuries among civilians.
