European Commission spokeswoman Anita Hipper, reacting to the latest statements by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin regarding Ukraine, stated that Putin is a criminal and the EU will not comment on his propaganda. She made this statement at a briefing on Friday, UNN reports.
Putin is a criminal and he is wanted for war crimes, and we are not going to pay attention or comment on the propaganda he is releasing. We will look closely at the facts, and the fact is that we have an aggressor. We have Ukraine, which is only showing good will towards peace, and that is where we stand in terms of our support for Ukraine and our focus on ensuring a long, just and lasting peace.
"Mr. Zelensky was legitimately elected, democratically elected, and until the Ukrainian people demand elections, no one else should offer them," said European Commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho.
Earlier
Putin proposed introducing some form of temporary administration in Ukraine, allegedly to hold new elections and sign key agreements to achieve a war settlement, Russian news agencies reported early on Friday.
Putin's comments during a visit to the northern port city of Murmansk came amid US attempts to achieve a war settlement by restoring ties with Russia and engaging with both Moscow and Kyiv in separate talks.
A National Security Council White House official, when asked about Putin's remarks on temporary administration, stated that "the system of governance in Ukraine is determined by its constitution and the people of the country."
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council, commented on Putin's statements, indicating that Russian dictator Putin is not interested in ending the war and is doing everything to disrupt the movement towards peace, putting forward some demands, his room for maneuver can be limited by tough sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine.