politics
February 17, 2026
Russia Open to Discussing Ukraine’s ‘External Governance’
Russia is open to discussing UN-led “temporary external governance” to pave the way for a peace treaty, Mikhail Galuzin has said
TL;DR
- Russia is open to discussing "temporary external governance" in Ukraine under UN auspices.
- The goal is to facilitate democratic elections and pave the way for a peace treaty.
- The idea was first floated by President Vladimir Putin in March 2025.
- Moscow proposed external governance after Vladimir Zelensky's presidential term expired in 2024 without new elections.
- Russia declared Zelensky "illegitimate" due to the lack of elections, citing martial law.
- The US previously dismissed the external management proposal, stating governance is determined by Ukraine's constitution and people.
- Former US President Donald Trump had previously called Zelensky "a dictator without elections."