Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s call for new leadership in Ukraine, insisting that the country’s people alone have the right to decide who governs them.
Zelensky made the remarks during an interview with ABC News on Sunday, October 11, 2026, after Trump suggested that Ukraine should elect a new president capable of reaching a peace agreement with Russia.
“With all respect to President Trump, it’s up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader,” Zelensky said.
Trump had criticised Zelensky over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries, blaming the strikes for contributing to rising fuel prices in the United States. His comments followed an announcement of a deal involving Russian diesel supplies to help ease fuel costs.
Responding to the criticism, Zelensky said he was willing to organise elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire.
“Please tell Putin, give us two months, 60 days of total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organise elections,” he said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine is currently under martial law following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, and elections are prohibited under the country’s existing legal framework during martial law.
Zelensky also reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow stopped targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
“We want peace, we are ready for a ceasefire, we are ready to begin with any kind of steps of de-escalation,” he said.
The exchange highlights growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv over how to end the war, with disagreements over military strategy, energy supplies and the conditions necessary for peace negotiations.
Zelensky maintained that any decision on Ukraine’s leadership must ultimately be made by Ukrainians themselves.
