Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s call for a new leader in Kyiv, insisting that Ukrainians alone have the right to decide who governs their country.
Zelensky also said Ukraine could organise elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire, as tensions between the two leaders escalated over Washington’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel supplies.
Speaking in an interview with ABC News on Sunday, Zelensky responded to Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine needed a different president capable of negotiating an end to the war with Russia.
“With all respect to President Trump, it’s up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader,” he said.
Trump had criticised Zelensky on Saturday, accusing him of failing to reach a settlement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also blamed Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries for contributing to high diesel prices and argued that a new Ukrainian leader could help bring the conflict to an end.
Zelensky proposes 60-day ceasefire for elections
Responding to calls for Ukraine to hold elections, Zelensky said he had a proposal for Trump’s team: secure a two-month ceasefire from Moscow to allow the country to organise the vote.
“If they 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.
Ukraine has not held a presidential election since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The country’s martial-law framework restricts elections during wartime, making security arrangements and the legal conditions for a vote important considerations.
Zelensky’s proposal places responsibility on Russia to agree to a sustained halt in hostilities before an election can take place. However, no agreement on the proposed 60-day ceasefire has been confirmed.
Ukraine defends its president
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also defended Zelensky, insisting that the country’s leadership must be determined by its citizens rather than foreign governments.
Sybiha said Zelensky was leading Ukraine through a war over its independence, freedom and dignity, adding that Ukrainians had the right to decide their president’s future.
The response followed Trump’s renewed criticism of Zelensky and his suggestion that Ukraine should choose a new leader.
Russian diesel deal fuels diplomatic tensions
The dispute follows Trump’s announcement on Friday that Russia would supply diesel to the US and global markets.
Trump said the arrangement included an immediate shipment of more than 300,000 tonnes, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and another one million tonnes thereafter.
The US administration also temporarily eased sanctions to facilitate the transactions.
The decision drew criticism from Ukraine and some American political figures, who argued that additional Russian energy sales could generate revenue for Moscow while the war continues.
Trump has presented the arrangement as a measure to ease fuel-price pressures ahead of the US midterm elections. Zelensky, however, warned that easing pressure on Russia could encourage further attacks rather than help end the conflict.
Zelensky appeals for continued US support
Despite the public disagreement, Zelensky said Ukraine continued to depend on support from Washington and its European partners.
He expressed hope that the dispute would not undermine cooperation among Ukraine’s allies, arguing that maintaining unity remained essential to stopping Russia’s war.
Zelensky also reiterated that Ukraine was prepared to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure if Moscow stopped striking Ukrainian energy facilities.
He said recent Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure demonstrated that Moscow was not under sufficient pressure to end the conflict.
The latest exchange underscores the growing diplomatic strain between Washington and Kyiv, with disagreements over fuel supplies, sanctions, military strategy and the conditions for ending the war complicating efforts to reach a settlement.
