Reuters reporting comments from Kremlin spox Dmitry Peskov. Today's headlines have been dominated by President Vladimir Putin's proposal for Ukraine to be placed under temporary external administration, thereby ousting the Zelenskyy administration. The reaction from Kyiv has been swift and categorical, with responses ranging from accusing Putin of simply seeking to delay a ceasefire through to questioning his mental stability.
- Peskov says that President Vladimir Putin did not raise the idea of Ukraine being placed under a temporary administration in his call with US President Donald Trump. Peskov claims that the Ukrainian army is 'out of control' and refusing to heed orders from Kyiv. Claimes that 'armed nationalist forces' are gaining strength, which prompted Putin's suggestion.
- Peskov also claims that Ukraine is continuing to hit Russian energy infrastructure despite the supposed ceasefire on such targets. Peskov says Russia reserves the right to pull out of the agreement at any time. He says that Russia 'is respecting the agreement for now' and not hitting energy targets 'however, it would be illogical to stand by' and watch Ukraine hit Russian energy targets 'every night'. Each side has accused the other of breaching the agreement supposedly in place since 18 March.