Zelensky tells Trump Ukrainians will choose their leader, offers election for 60-day ceasefire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine should choose a new leader, insisting that the country’s citizens must decide who governs them.

Zelensky made the comments during an interview with ABC News after Trump said Ukraine should have a new president who could reach an agreement to end the war with Russia.

Trump had criticised Zelensky over Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries and subsequently told reporters that he believed it was time for Ukraine to have a new president and hold an election.

Zelensky responded that the choice of Ukraine’s president belongs to Ukrainian voters.

Zelensky offers elections if Russia agrees to ceasefire

The Ukrainian president said he had already told Trump’s team that Kyiv was prepared to organise an election if Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a 60-day total ceasefire.

Zelensky argued that two months without fighting would provide Ukraine with the conditions required to organise a national vote.

He added that he was prepared to accept whatever choice Ukrainian voters made.

The proposal comes as relations between Trump and Zelensky have become increasingly strained over the course of the war and recent disagreement over energy infrastructure.

Dispute over Russian refinery attacks

Trump has criticised Ukraine for repeatedly striking Russian oil refineries, arguing that damage to refining capacity contributes to higher global diesel prices.

The United States recently reached an arrangement that Trump said would allow Russia to immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tonnes of diesel to US and international markets.

Zelensky has criticised that policy and disputed the argument that Ukraine is principally responsible for higher global fuel prices.

He has said Ukraine would be willing to stop attacking Russian refineries if Russia also stopped strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

Trump later announced what he described as an immediate energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, but ABC News reported that Zelensky’s office said it had not been informed of such an agreement before Trump’s announcement.

The wider war remains ongoing.