KYIV, UKRAINE — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected US President Donald Trump’s call for Ukraine to replace its leader, stressing that the decision belongs to the Ukrainian people.
In an interview with ABC News on Sunday, October 11, Zelensky said that, despite his respect for Trump, Ukrainians retained the right to decide who should lead their country.
The Ukrainian leader also proposed a possible route to holding elections during the ongoing war, saying Russia would need to agree to a complete 60-day ceasefire to allow the process to take place.
His comments followed Trump’s public criticism on Saturday, when the US president suggested that Ukraine needed a new leader capable of negotiating an end to the war with Russia.
Zelensky Proposes 60-Day Ceasefire
Zelensky said he had asked Trump’s team to communicate the ceasefire proposal to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to the Ukrainian president, a 60-day period without fighting would provide an opportunity to organise elections.
He indicated that Ukraine was prepared to arrange the vote if Russia agreed to the proposed conditions.
The proposal places the question of elections alongside the wider challenge of securing a ceasefire in a conflict that has continued since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Zelensky’s position also highlights the security difficulties associated with conducting a nationwide election while the country remains under attack.
Trump Calls For A New Ukrainian Leader
Trump’s remarks came during renewed disagreements between Washington and Kyiv over how to end the war.
On Saturday, the US president argued that Zelensky had failed to secure a peace agreement despite having opportunities to negotiate with Moscow.
Trump also blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries for contributing to high diesel prices, particularly in the United States.
He called for Ukraine to choose a new president who, in his view, could reach an agreement to end the conflict.
Zelensky has rejected the suggestion that Ukraine’s leadership should be determined by pressure from another country. His response reinforces Kyiv’s position that decisions about its political future must remain in Ukrainian hands.
Dispute Over US-Russia Diesel Deal
The exchange comes amid controversy surrounding a diesel supply agreement announced by Trump following discussions with Putin.
The arrangement has drawn criticism from Ukraine, where officials argue that additional revenue from Russian energy exports could help Moscow finance its military campaign.
Zelensky has warned that easing restrictions on Russian energy sales could enable Russia to sustain its war effort.
The disagreement has added another point of tension between Washington and Kyiv as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have continued to call for stronger pressure on Moscow, while Trump has argued that negotiations are necessary to bring the fighting to an end.
Ukraine’s Leadership Remains A Sovereignty Issue
Zelensky’s response places national sovereignty at the centre of the dispute. His position is that Ukrainians, rather than foreign leaders, should determine who governs their country.
His offer to organise elections following a 60-day ceasefire provides a conditional proposal, not confirmation that a vote has been scheduled.
Whether the proposal leads to an agreement will depend on Russia’s response and the security conditions required to conduct elections.
For now, the exchange underscores the differences between the US and Ukrainian leaders over the direction of peace efforts, the role of Russian energy exports and the future of Ukraine’s political leadership.
