Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected US President Donald Trump’s call for him to be replaced, saying Ukraine could hold elections if Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire.
Tensions have risen between the two leaders after Trump announced on Friday that he would temporarily waive sanctions on a large quantity of Russian diesel to help lower fuel prices ahead of the November US midterm elections.
On Saturday, Trump criticised Zelensky over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries, arguing that the strikes had contributed to rising diesel prices. He also called for Ukraine to have a new leader who would reach a settlement to end the war.
“First of all, with all respect to President Trump, it’s up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader,” Zelensky told ABC News in a televised interview on Sunday.
Zelensky said he had told Trump’s team that Ukraine could organise elections if Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a two-month ceasefire.
“If they really want Ukraine to hold elections — their first since Russia’s invasion began in 2022 — please tell Putin give us two months, 60 days of total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organise elections,” he said.
Trump’s decision to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian oil has drawn criticism from Ukraine, several European allies of the United States and some members of his Republican Party.
Zelensky stressed the importance of continued American support and expressed hope that the latest disagreement would not undermine cooperation among Ukraine’s allies.
“To stop Putin — and I think this is the main goal, to stop him, this is the main deal, to stop this war … we count on American support,” he told ABC News.
“Then, and of course, we count on our European partners, and I hope that we will save this unity, Europe and the United States,” he added, noting that maintaining the alliance was “really not simple.”
The Ukrainian president also reiterated that his country was prepared to agree to a ceasefire, including one limited to attacks on energy infrastructure, if Russia accepted the terms.
However, he said Russia’s heavy attacks during the week showed that Moscow did not “feel real pressure” to end the war.
“This week was very difficult for us, not only geopolitically. First of all, because of massive attacks, Russian attacks on our civilian infrastructure,” he said.
Zelensky’s offer links the possibility of holding Ukraine’s first national elections since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 to a temporary halt in hostilities. His comments also underline Kyiv’s concern that disagreements with Washington could weaken the international support it relies on in the war.