Russian President Vladimir Putin said his nation will soon overwhelm and destroy the Ukrainian military, and suggested the United Nations take control of the country if the war ends. Putin made the bellicose comments,

Putin suggested Ukraine be placed under a form of temporary administration to reach a settlement in the war, Russian news agencies reported.

Putin said he wanted a U.N.-led administration to take control of Ukraine and conduct fresh elections, before any treaty is signed to end the conflict in the country.