Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed the establishment of a transitional government in Ukraine, overseen by the UN, the US, and European countries, as a means to expedite peace negotiations and end the ongoing war. Speaking to members of the Russian navy in Murmansk, Putin suggested that this temporary administration could take over from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government, which he claims is illegitimate due to the expiration of its term in May 2024. Despite this, elections for a new government have not yet occurred because of the ongoing conflict. Putin detailed that a provisional government under international supervision could pave the way for elections and eventually lead to a legitimate administration capable of negotiating a peace agreement. The US, acting as a mediator in ending the war, dismissed Putin’s proposal, emphasizing that governance in Ukraine should be determined solely by Ukrainians according to their constitution. Additionally, Putin expressed his belief that former US President Donald Trump genuinely seeks an end to the three-year-long conflict. He also reiterated Russia’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution but insisted it must not come at Russia’s expense. Putin highlighted that Russian forces are steadily advancing toward achieving the war’s objectives and remain strategically proactive along all contact lines. Furthermore, Russia remains open to cooperation with various nations, including North Korea, to bring the war to a close. Unverified reports suggest North Korea may have deployed over 11,000 troops to the Kursk region of Russia to bolster Russian military efforts.