“Give us 60 days of total ceasefire”: Zelensky offers Ukrainian elections if Russia agrees, and says only Ukrainians can choose their president

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told ABC News he would organize elections if Russia agreed to a complete 60-day ceasefire, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for Ukraine to choose a new leader. “Only Ukrainians have the right to choose their president,” Zelensky said, urging Trump to ask Russian President Vladimir Putin for the two-month truce.

Zelensky also offered to stop Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries if Moscow halted strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He described the exchange as a fair deal and said Trump and Elon Musk blamed him for prolonging the war because they “cannot find the key to stop Putin,” arguing it was easier to pressure others than to stop the Russian leader.

On fuel prices, Zelensky disputed Trump’s focus on Ukrainian refinery strikes, pointing instead to the war in the Middle East and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has accused Zelensky of rejecting opportunities to end the war and called for a new Ukrainian leader willing to make a deal with Russia.

The remarks came amid a dispute over Trump’s recent deal with Putin to buy Russian diesel, which Trump has presented as a way to address high fuel prices. Trump has also pressed Ukraine to stop striking Russian energy facilities.