After Russian President Putin said Ukraine needs an interim administration ahead of peace talks, the Ukrainian ambassador to Poland had a blunt response: “Vladimir Putin’s suggestion of an interim government in Ukraine is stupidity and wishful thinking.”
Vasyl Bodnar also told RMF 24 radio that elections will take place once martial law is lifted.
Putin has made it no secret that he believes Zelensky no longer holds claim to the presidency, as his five-year term ended last May. However, under current law, elections cannot be held in Ukraine during a time of war and can only be held after martial law has been lifted.
Various news outlets have reported on Putin’s comment, with AP news reporting that the Russian president suggested a “temporary” interim government be set up “under the auspices of the United Nations, with the United States, even with European countries, and, of course, with our partners and friends,” before peace negotiations begin.
“Vladimir Putin started the war to control Ukraine and now he wants to come up with some other conditions,” Bodnar said, adding that as a democratic country, elections will be held once peace is achieved.
The ambassador then told listeners: “When Russia starts to fall apart, I volunteer to be the governor of occupied Moscow to properly administer the territories that will fall apart.”
When pressed about the issue of holding elections now, especially as this was also voiced by U.S. President Trump, Bodnar said: “Donald Trump does not vote, only the Ukrainian people do, and they will choose when the elections are held – whoever they want. I think President Zelensky has a good chance here.”
During an interview on Rozmowa RMF, Ambassador Bodnar responded to the Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris by saying: “It is clear that Europe is waking up.”
