Zelensky Challenges Trump, Says Ukrainians Will Decide Their Next President

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s call for Ukraine to elect a new leader, insisting that the country’s future president must be chosen by its citizens.

Zelensky also said Ukraine could organise elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day total ceasefire, arguing that a temporary halt in hostilities would create the conditions needed to conduct the exercise.

He made the remarks during a televised interview with ABC News on Sunday, a day after Trump called for a change in Ukraine’s leadership amid disagreements over Kyiv’s attacks on Russian oil refineries.

“First of all, with all respect to President Trump, it’s up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader,” Zelensky said.

He added that he had communicated his position to Trump’s team, challenging them to secure a ceasefire agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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“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.

Trump had on Saturday urged Ukraine to choose a new president, criticising Zelensky over attacks on Russian oil refineries that he said had contributed to rising diesel prices ahead of elections.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump claimed he had previously told Zelensky to take whatever action he considered necessary against Russia but warned him against targeting oil refineries.

“He better damn well stop,” Trump said, adding that he believed “it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president” who would agree to end the war.

The disagreement has drawn support for Zelensky from British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian leader following his latest exchange with Trump.

According to a statement released by Burnham’s Downing Street office, the British leader told Zelensky during a telephone conversation on Saturday that he recognised the previous 24 hours had been difficult for Ukraine.

Burnham also reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to maintaining pressure on Russia through further sanctions and measures aimed at limiting its military capabilities.

The two leaders discussed the importance of sustaining international pressure on Moscow and agreed to meet in person in the coming days, the statement added.

The latest exchange highlights continuing disagreements among Western leaders over the war in Ukraine, efforts to end the conflict and the conditions under which the country could hold elections.