Zelensky offers Ukraine elections if Putin grants 60-day ceasefire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he would organise elections in Ukraine if Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a 60-day total ceasefire, responding to critical comments from U.S. President Donald Trump. "Please tell Putin, give us two months, 60 days of total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organize elections," Zelensky told ABC's This Week.theglobeandmail.com+1

The offer sets a concrete condition under which Ukraine would hold a vote, linking the electoral process directly to a halt in fighting. Zelensky acknowledged the difficulty of holding elections during the war with Russia. The statement came in response to Trump's suggestion that Ukraine should get a new leader, marking a direct reply to pressure from Washington on Ukraine's leadership question.nbcnews.com+1

Why the offer matters

Zelensky said it is up to Ukrainians to choose their leader and noted that Putin would also like to change who is leading Ukraine. He rejected blame for higher fuel prices, saying it is easy for Ukraine to be blamed "when everybody in the world understands (that) because of the war in (the) Middle East, the prices are rising." The comments framed the election question as one for Ukrainian voters, not external actors.

Trump on Saturday criticised Zelensky for attacking Russian oil refineries, a day after the U.S. temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian fuel designed to deprive Moscow of revenues to fund its war in Ukraine. "I think it's time for Ukraine to get a new president," Trump told reporters at the White House. He also said: "I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal, because he could have made many deals."

Trump's call for a new leader

The U.S. agreed on Friday to lift sanctions on Russian fuel. In the deal, Trump said Russia would "immediately" release 300,000 tons of diesel to the American and global marketplace, followed by 500,000 tons in November and another million after that. Trump blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for pushing up U.S. diesel prices, saying Zelensky had "better d**n well stop."

Trump claimed on Sunday morning via Truth Social that an energy ceasefire was in effect: "Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!" He did not elaborate on what the ceasefire would include. There was no immediate confirmation from Moscow, and the deal was not confirmed by either Ukraine or Russia.

The disputed energy ceasefire claim

Zelensky said the announcement was news to him. "But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire Ukraine will agree. If President Trump negotiated it with Putin — please tell us when the ceasefire begins — we are ready and we will accept it," he said. Moscow had not confirmed the ceasefire Trump announced.

Earlier on Sunday, Zelensky said Ukraine was ready to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow ceased its own strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Any agreement would require "real guarantees," Zelensky said, adding: "It's possible to stop strikes on energy infrastructure as early as today, but Putin does not want to do so." The reciprocal offer ties Ukraine's restraint to a matching Russian halt.

Trump has sought to blame the Ukraine conflict, rather than his own assault on Iran, for a global fuel shortage that has driven diesel prices to record highs. Zelensky instead pointed to the Middle East war as the driver of rising prices, setting up a direct dispute over the cause of high fuel costs.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul restated Berlin's support for Zelensky after Trump's call for his removal, saying Germany remained by the side of Ukraine and its government "and fully support the President as he carries out his difficult duties." Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said Trump was wrong to make the deal with Russia and for his comments about the Ukrainian leader.

Who backs Zelensky now

Zelensky said he would continue discussions with European leaders on Sunday. Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, is due to attend an EU foreign affairs meeting on Monday, where ministers are expected to discuss further sanctions on Russia and Ukraine's EU accession. The next dated event on the calendar is the EU foreign affairs meeting on Monday, where Sybiha is scheduled to attend and ministers are expected to discuss further sanctions on Russia and Ukraine's EU accession.