Will halt strikes if Ukraine goes to the polls, Russia calls Zelenskyy’s govt illegitimate

Russia has again questioned the legitimacy of Ukraine’s leadership, signalling it would halt strikes if Kyiv holds elections, while reiterating that it does not recognise the current government led by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In an interview with TASS, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin described Zelenskyy’s administration as “illegitimate” and said Moscow’s March 2025 proposal by Vladimir Putin for the United Nations to establish a temporary external administration in Ukraine remains on the table.

Galuzin said UN-led governance would, in Moscow’s view, enable “democratic” elections and the formation of a government with which Russia could sign a peace treaty and “legitimate” agreements on future bilateral cooperation. The remarks suggest Moscow does not intend to conclude binding agreements with Ukraine’s current leadership and considers any elections conducted under the existing government to be undemocratic.

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Russia signals pause in strikes if elections held

Galuzin said Russia would halt airstrikes on election day if Kyiv proceeds with presidential polls. He noted that Putin had earlier indicated Moscow’s readiness to suspend airstrikes in such a scenario, while adding that there is currently no practical preparation for voting in Ukraine. He also accused Kyiv of attempting to disrupt Russia’s 2024 presidential election through drone attacks.

Citing Russia’s experience, Galuzin said polling stations were opened near combat zones during the March 2024 election despite ongoing military operations, alleging that Ukraine attempted to sabotage the process in frontline regions but failed.

He added that Russia “will not stoop to Kyiv’s practices” and would allow Ukrainians to exercise their constitutional electoral rights and determine their country’s future — “if the Kyiv regime finally decides to take this democratic step”.

Kyiv links elections to ceasefire

The remarks follow Zelenskyy’s statement at the Munich Security Conference that Ukraine would hold elections if Moscow agrees to a ceasefire. He also urged US President Donald Trump to press Putin to accept a truce.

“Give us a ceasefire. President Trump can do it. Push Putin, make a ceasefire, then our Parliament will change the law, and we will go to elections. We can also offer a ceasefire to the Russians if they hold elections in Russia,” Zelenskyy said.

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Trilateral talks expected in Geneva

The developments come ahead of a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, Russia and the US, expected to be held in Geneva on 17–18 February.