ISW analyzes Putin's statements about “interim administration” in Ukraine

As reported by Ukrinform, this information is contained in a fresh report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

“Putin’s new demand for an interim government in Ukraine as a precondition for peace talks shows how the Kremlin continues to hold the negotiating process hostage and seeks to extract additional concessions from the West on the back of the successes achieved in the ongoing ceasefire talks,” the report said.

According to ISW, the Kremlin is still aiming to initiate any negotiations for a temporary ceasefire along the front line or a permanent peace agreement. This strategy is aimed at achieving more victories on the battlefield and creating favorable conditions for Ukraine's complete capitulation.

ISW notes that Putin has once again put forward the demand to eliminate the “root causes” of the war in Ukraine as a precondition for signing a peace agreement.

This concerns Russia's initial military demands, which directly contradict the efforts of Ukraine, the United States and the ERA to achieve a fair and sustainable resolution of the conflict.

“Putin is attempting to make a new demand consistent with the Kremlin's long-standing efforts to undermine the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government,” the report said.

Read also: Ukrainian Foreign Ministry responds to Putin's statement: UN Interim Administration in Russia to begin in Vorkuta

ISW analysts say the Kremlin's maneuvers raise serious doubts about Russia's willingness to negotiate in good faith. They also create the information conditions for Russia to violate any agreement by claiming that the Ukrainian government had no legal right to sign it.

Earlier, Putin proposed discussing the creation of an external “temporary administration” in Ukraine under UN control. In response, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry put forward the idea of introducing a temporary UN administration over Russia.