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Kremlin Pushes UN Governance, Ukraine Seeks U.S. Guarantees as Fighting Stalls

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Kremlin repeats claim Zelensky is “illegitimate” and pushes UN admin plan – Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told TASS the Russian President’s 2025 proposal for a temporary UN external administration in Ukraine remains on the table, arguing it would enable “democratic” elections and a peace treaty that Russia could recognize [1].

Russia sets voting conditions and forces passport changes on occupied Ukrainians – Galuzin warned Kyiv will try to block “Ukrainian citizens” in Russia from voting; the Kremlin’s stance builds on forced passportisation campaigns that coerce residents of occupied territories to adopt Russian passports [3][4].

Lavrov says any post‑war Ukraine must be “friendly” to Russia – Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared that a future Ukrainian government that is not pro‑Kremlin would be unacceptable, reinforcing Moscow’s demand for political control after the conflict [8].

Zelensky meets U.S. officials and asks for long‑term security guarantees – The Ukrainian president discussed the war with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others, urging a 15‑year guarantee that he wants extended to at least 20 years, and insisting such guarantees come before any peace settlement [9][10].

Russian General Gerasimov inflates small‑village gains as strategic victories – Gerasimov announced that Russian forces captured 12 settlements and about 200 sq km in early February, a figure ISW estimates at roughly 203 sq km, but the seized areas are minor villages rather than major strongholds [20].

Ukrainian tactical counterattacks push Russian lines back 9‑9.5 km in two sectors – Military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported that Ukrainian units have slowed Russian advances since early February, retaking villages along the Yanchur and Haichur rivers and reducing Russian momentum in the Oleksandrivka and Hulyaipole directions [22][23].

Russia tests “Barrage‑1” stratospheric platform as a Starlink alternative – The Kremlin‑linked Russian Foundation for Advanced Research Projects said the unmanned Barrage‑1 aerostat, capable of carrying up to 100 kg of 5G NTN equipment at 20 km altitude, made its maiden flight; milbloggers note it cannot replace a low‑orbit satellite constellation but may supplement communications [26][27][28].

  • Mikhail Galuzin – Reiterated that President Zelensky is “illegitimate” and that a UN‑run temporary administration is still being considered to legitimize any future peace treaty [1].
  • Sergei Lavrov – Stated that a post‑war Ukraine must be “friendly” and “benevolent” toward Russia, rejecting any government not aligned with Moscow [8].
  • Volodymyr Zelensky – Told U.S. officials he wants security guarantees lasting at least 20 years and that such guarantees must precede any war‑termination agreement [9][10].
  • Valery Gerasimov – Claimed Russian forces seized 12 settlements and 200 sq km in the first half of February, framing the gains as significant [20].
  • Kostyantyn Mashovets – Reported Ukrainian forces have halted Russian advances and reclaimed multiple settlements, pushing Russian troops back up to 9.5 km in the Oleksandrivka and Hulyaipole sectors [22][23].
  • Russian Foundation for Advanced Research Projects – Announced the maiden flight of the Barrage‑1 stratospheric communications platform, describing its payload and altitude capabilities [26].

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