Zelenskiy Offers to Hold Elections if Russia Agrees to 60-Day Ceasefire

Marko Djurica/Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that Ukraine would hold elections if Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a 60-day ceasefire, responding to criticism from US President Donald Trump.

"Please tell Putin, give us two months, 60 days of total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organize elections," Zelenskiy told ABC's "This Week."

On Saturday, Trump criticised Zelenskiy for attacking Russian oil refineries, a day after Washington temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian fuel intended to deprive Moscow of revenue to fund its war in Ukraine.

"I think it's time for Ukraine to get a new president," Trump had told reporters at the White House.

In response, Zelenskiy said it was up to the Ukrainian people to choose their leader, adding that Putin also wanted to see a change in Ukraine’s leadership.

Zelenskiy also rejected criticism linking Ukraine’s actions to rising fuel prices, saying the war in the Middle East was driving prices higher worldwide.

Earlier on Sunday, he said Ukraine was prepared to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow stopped striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

Under the terms of a deal outlined by Trump on Friday, Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tonnes of diesel to US and global markets, equivalent to about 2.25 million barrels. The United States exports around 1.5 million barrels of diesel a day.



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