New Delhi, March 28 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has escalated his rhetoric on the Ukraine war, calling for the removal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and vowing to "finish off" Ukrainian troops. His remarks, delivered on March 28 at an Arctic forum, come as US President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire.

Putin proposed the establishment of a "transitional administration" in Ukraine, suggesting that discussions take place under the United Nations' oversight, with input from the US, Europe, and Moscow's allies.

"What for? To organize a democratic presidential election that would result in the coming to power of a competent government that would have the confidence of the people, and then begin negotiations with these ...