Putin calls to remove Zelensky, 'finish off' Ukrainian troops

MURMANSK (Russia), Mar 28 (AFP): Russian President Vladimir Putin called Friday for a "transitional administration" to be put in place in Ukraine and vowed his army would "finish off" Ukrainian troops, in hardline remarks as US President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire.

A rapprochement between Washington and Moscow since Trump's return to office and the US leader's threats to stop supporting Kyiv have bolstered Putin's confidence more than three years into an offensive that has killed tens of thousands on both sides.

Ukraine fears it could be forced to accept a final peace deal on terms that are favourable to Moscow if it loses the support of its most important backer.

The renewed call to essentially topple Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky was the latest demonstration of Putin's long-standing desire to install a more Moscow-friendly regime in Kyiv.

"We could, of course, discuss with the United States, even with European countries, and of course with our partners and friends, under the auspices of the UN, the possibility of establishing a transitional administration in Ukraine," Putin said on the sidelines of an Arctic forum.

Erdogan tells Putin

Turkey-Russia cooperation 'key' to resolving conflicts

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that cooperation between Turkey and Russia is crucial for resolving regional conflicts, his office said Friday.

"Cooperation between Turkey and Russia is of key importance in resolving regional issues," he said following discussions which touched on both the Ukraine war and the situation in Syria.

The pair spoke about security in the Black Sea, with Erdogan pledging Ankara would take steps to ensure "the safety of commercial navigation" which would contribute to peace efforts.

The Kremlin confirmed they exchanged views on "the resumption of the Black Sea initiative for safe navigation and the removal of obstacles to the export of Russian food and fertilisers". The initiative was a deal brokered by Turkey and the UN in 2022 to ensure safe navigation for Ukrainian agricultural exports in the Black Sea.