Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine could hold elections if Russia agrees to a 60-day total ceasefire, rejecting US President Donald Trump’s call for the country to elect a new leader.
Zelensky made the remarks in a televised interview with ABC News on Sunday, a day after Trump said Ukraine needed a new president willing to agree to end the war.
“With all respect to President Trump, it’s up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader,” Zelensky said.
He added that he had told Trump’s team that Russia would need to agree to a two-month ceasefire to allow Ukraine to organise elections.
“If you really want us to hold elections, please tell Putin to give us two months, 60 days of total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organise elections,” he said.
Trump had criticised Zelensky over Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, which he said had contributed to high diesel prices ahead of elections in the United States.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Saturday, Trump said he had told Zelensky to act as he wished against Russia but warned him not to target refineries.
“He better damn well stop,” Trump said, adding that he believed “it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president” who would agree to end the war.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed solidarity with Zelensky following the exchange with Trump.
According to a readout from Burnham’s Downing Street office, the British leader told Zelensky during a telephone conversation that he recognised the past 24 hours had been difficult for Ukraine and reiterated his “complete solidarity”.
The two leaders also discussed the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia. Burnham said the UK would continue to strengthen sanctions and take further action to constrain Russia’s war effort, building on new designations against Russian targets announced during the week.
