Zelenskyy says he’ll hold elections if Putin agrees to 60-day ceasefire

KYIV (AA): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday said that he would hold elections in Ukraine if Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees to a 60-day ceasefire.

In an interview with ABC, Zelenskyy said holding elections during wartime would be difficult because of security concerns and constitutional restrictions, responding to US President Donald Trump’s call for Ukraine to “get a new president.”

“With all respect to President Trump, it’s up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader. Yes, we are in war and how to do elections is really difficult,” he said.

Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to change Ukraine’s leadership, adding that he had discussed the issue with Trump’s team.

“So please tell Putin, give us two months, 60 days off. Total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organize elections,” he said.

“Of course, we will be ready for any choice of our people, exactly Ukrainian people,” he added.

Trump on Saturday accused Zelenskyy of missing multiple opportunities to end the Russia-Ukraine war, saying: “I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.”

He also criticized Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, warning that attacks on refineries could worsen global fuel shortages and affect American farmers and ranchers.

Zelenskyy said Kyiv was ready to take steps toward de-escalation, including a mutual ceasefire on energy infrastructure.

He also urged Trump to signal to Moscow that attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities should stop.

“It’s fair deal. It’s not the best deal. The best deal not – not to have a war to stop Putin. But the first step is ceasefire, energy ceasefire,” he said.

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