'Up to our people' to pick leader, Zelenskyy responds to Trump's pledge for new elections in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy clarified on Sunday that his nation would hold elections only if Russia agreed to a 60-day complete ceasefire, countering US President Donald Trump's suggestion for Ukraine to elect a new leader. Zelenskyy emphasized in an ABC News interview that it is up to Ukraine's society and people to choose their leader, in response to Trump's remarks.

He offered to President Trump that if they genuinely want Ukraine to have elections, they should ask Putin for a 60-day ceasefire, which the Ukrainian president is ready to begin with any de-escalation measures. Zelenskyy also urged Trump to signal to Russia to refrain from attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure, appealing to Putin to not harm Ukraine's children while stopping the attacks on their diesel.

The situation is ongoing amid a prolonged aerial conflict between Kyiv and Moscow, with Russia relentlessly targeting Ukraine's energy facilities. Zelenskyy stressed that any de-escalation must be reciprocal and backed by credible guarantees, warning against attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized Trump's comments, asserting that Zelenskyy is leading Ukraine in its war for independence and gaining the support of the Ukrainian people.

Trump's call for a new president in Ukraine stemmed from his dissatisfaction with Zelenskyy's performance in ending the war and his belief that Zelenskyy has failed to secure a deal for stopping strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. This comes after Trump's recent attempt to secure a deal with Putin to purchase diesel from Russia to alleviate high fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections, which Ukrainian and European officials strongly oppose, as it would indirectly fund Russia's war effort.