Russia Proposes UN External Control of Ukraine

(MENAFN) Russia indicated on Sunday that it is open to discussing United Nations-supervised external control of Ukraine as a potential pathway to resolving the ongoing conflict. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told Russian state media TASS that such an approach could facilitate democratic elections and the signing of a comprehensive peace treaty.

Galuzin cited precedents where the UN established transitional administrations, including in Eastern Slavonia, East Timor, and Cambodia, suggesting a multi-stage process would be needed, beginning with an agreement between the conflicting parties and followed by negotiated steps to implement the plan.

He argued that Russia would ensure no strikes occur on the voting day, calling on Kyiv to hold elections promptly. Galuzin accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of election fraud and attempting to delay or disrupt the process. He also criticized Ukraine for not responding to Russia’s earlier proposals to create a bilateral monitoring and control center to oversee ceasefires, first suggested during talks in Istanbul last year.

Ukraine has previously rejected the idea of UN-supervised external control, labeling Russian claims about illegitimacy after Zelenskyy’s May 2024 term expiration as baseless. Kyiv continues to insist on a two-month ceasefire before any elections are held.

Galuzin’s comments highlight Moscow’s continued push for international involvement in Ukraine under a framework it can influence, though Kyiv remains firmly opposed to any external supervision of its sovereignty.

MENAFN16022026000045017281ID1110745580