Moscow Revives UN Governance Proposal for Ukraine to End Conflict

International - Ekhbary News Agency

Moscow Relaunches UN Governance Proposal in Ukraine for Post-Conflict Resolution

In a significant diplomatic development, Russia has formally revived its proposal to establish external governance in Ukraine under the aegis of the United Nations, presenting it as one of the possible options for conflict resolution and the achievement of lasting peace. The announcement, made by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin in an interview with the Tass news agency, underscores Moscow's readiness to engage in discussions on such a scheme with major global powers.

The idea, according to Galuzin, is not new to the Russian diplomatic landscape. As early as March 2025, President Vladimir Putin had hinted at the possibility of a UN-led external administration as a potential solution for Ukraine. This reiteration of the proposal, dated February 15, 2026, suggests a consolidated line of thinking within the Kremlin regarding Ukraine's future post-war structure. The prospect of international oversight aims to ensure stability and reconstruction in a country ravaged by years of armed conflict, positioning itself as an alternative to the current dynamics of war.

Deputy Minister Galuzin also drew attention to "similar precedents" that have occurred within the framework of the world organization's peacekeeping activities. Historically, the United Nations has established provisional administrations or peacekeeping missions with broad mandates in post-conflict contexts, such as in Kosovo, East Timor, or during certain phases of the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such experiences, while complex and often controversial, have demonstrated the UN's capacity to play a crucial role in stabilization and transition towards full sovereignty, when supported by robust international consensus.

The Russian proposal comes within an extremely tense geopolitical context. The introduction of external governance in Kyiv, even if temporary, raises complex questions concerning Ukraine's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. For such an initiative to be feasible, it would require broad acceptance from the international community, particularly from Ukraine itself and its Western allies, who have so far firmly supported full Ukrainian sovereignty and the return of all occupied territories. Russia, however, declares its readiness to discuss this possibility with the United States, European countries, and other international actors, signaling a potential openness to dialogue on a future political-administrative arrangement for Ukraine.

International analysts observe that the relaunch of this proposal could serve several purposes for Moscow. On one hand, it could be an attempt to present itself as a constructive actor in the search for a diplomatic solution, seeking to shift the focus from military operations to a discussion about a future post-war order. On the other hand, it could be interpreted as an attempt to influence the international debate on Ukraine's governance, by proposing a model that, while under UN auspices, might allow for a certain Russian influence or neutralize Western influence. The key to the success of any external governance proposal would lie in its ability to gain legitimacy and consensus among all parties involved, a task that promises to be arduous given the depth of current divisions.

The path toward a peaceful resolution in Ukraine remains fraught with obstacles. Russia's UN governance proposal adds a new element to the complex diplomatic chess board, but its concrete feasibility will depend on the willingness of the parties to find common ground and the UN's ability to mediate an agreement that respects the principles of sovereignty and self-determination, while ensuring regional stability. The international community now awaits the reactions of Kyiv and Western capitals to this renewed diplomatic offer from the Kremlin.

Ekhbary News Agency