Putin Calls for Ukrainian Generals to Topple Zelenskyy

Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged Ukraine’s military leadership to remove President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and install a provisional government. He pledged that Russian forces would “finish off” Ukrainian troops if this demand was not met.

These strong remarks come as US President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Since Mr. Trump’s return to office, relations between Washington and Moscow have warmed. His threats to withdraw support for Kyiv have also emboldened Mr. Putin. This comes more than three years into a war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives on both sides.

Mr. Putin’s renewed call for Mr. Zelenskyy’s removal highlights his continued ambition to install a pro-Moscow administration in Kyiv.