WASHINGTON, March 31. /TASS/. The US opposes the idea of an external administration for Ukraine and believes the pathway toward a peaceful settlement in the country lies through talks between Moscow and Kiev, US State Department Spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters.
"We operate with the realization that negotiations are going to require both Russia and Ukraine to make tough decisions and compromises. And we are working with Russia and Ukraine, and we're committed to continuing our work to bring them to the negotiating table," she said at a regular news conference.
"There was an idea from Russia about a temporary administration that was not appreciated by the [US] president. Ukraine <…> is a constitutional democracy. Governance in Ukraine is determined by its constitution and the Ukrainian people," the spokeswoman went on to say.
"We are committed to the diplomacy necessary to achieve a full ceasefire and to bring the parties to the negotiating table for a final and lasting settlement. President [Donald] Trump has made clear that Russia and Ukraine need to move to a full ceasefire. Now, none of that has changed."
The Russian president said in the Russian northern port of Murmansk on March 27 that external governance of countries is something that has been practiced before in international affairs and it could pave the way for legitimate talks on resolving the Ukraine conflict. As examples, he referred to the UN administration in East Timor, New Guinea and parts of former Yugoslavia. According to Putin, a transitional UN administration in Ukraine could be discussed with the US, European countries and Russia’s allies and other friendly nations.