Putin Stresses Need for Regime Change in Ukraine as Trump Advocates Ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the establishment of a “transitional administration” in Ukraine on March 28, 2025, and declared his intent to “finish off” Ukrainian military forces. These remarks coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump advocating for a ceasefire, reflecting a notable shift in U.S.-Russia relations since Trump took office again. According to Putin, a democratic presidential election in Ukraine could pave the way for peace talks, aiming to create a government that holds public confidence. Putin's call to replace Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky aligns with his ongoing attempts to foster a pro-Moscow regime. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov justified Putin's comments by criticizing the Ukrainian leadership's control over their military amid ongoing conflict, which has reportedly claimed tens of thousands of lives. Putin's statements come as Russian forces claim territorial advancements in Ukraine, despite prior assertions of not targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Ukrainian officials, including chief of staff Andriy Yermak, accused Russia of prolonging the conflict, undermining efforts for peace, and dragging out negotiations while maintaining military pressure.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that Russia has effectively trapped the remaining Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region, a focal point of conflict for over seven months. During a news conference, Putin asserted that the situation was “completely under our control” and directed military commanders to swiftly eliminate remaining Ukrainian forces. In response, Ukraine's top military officials refuted claims of being encircled, stating they are reinforcing their defensive positions. Ukrainian General Staff reported successfully repelling five Russian attacks and ongoing clashes across multiple locations. Despite this, maps from Deep State, a Ukrainian conflict monitoring source, indicate significant territorial losses for Ukraine in recent weeks. Putin expressed optimism for the Russian military's progress, indicating that options for Ukrainian soldiers would soon be limited to surrender or die. He emphasized the necessity of a truce that would address the root causes of the conflict, complicating discussions about a proposed 30-day ceasefire endorsed by the United States and Ukraine.

In a significant escalation of the conflict, Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on Moscow, resulting in at least one fatality and three injuries, according to officials. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that it intercepted a total of 337 drones, with 91 targeting the Moscow region alone during the overnight strike. This incident marks one of the largest drone assaults on the city since the onset of the war, as fires erupted in various locations, prompting authorities to suspend train and air travel. Moscow's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, described the attack as "the most massive" drone offensive faced by the city, which is home to over 21 million people. Damage included a wrecked apartment building and disruptions to transport services, affecting airport operations and commuter trains. The drone strikes occurred just before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was scheduled to meet with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia to discuss potential peace talks, following a period of heightened tensions and military aid disputes between Washington and Kyiv. The ongoing conflict has seen both sides utilize drones extensively, indicating a complex and evolving battlefield landscape.