{
  "id": 13737069,
  "title": "Zelensky says if Trump, Putin want elections in Ukraine, a two-month ceasefire is needed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/zelensky-says-if-trump-putin-want-elections-in-ukraine-a-two-month",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-11T14:24:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Kyiv Independent",
    "slug": "kyiv-independent",
    "url": "https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-says-if-trump-putin-want-elections-in-ukraine-a-two-month-ceasefire-is-needed/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In an interview with ABC News on October 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump. Zelensky stated that if Trump and others want him out of office, he would hold elections, but only if there is a ceasefire. Ukrainian law prohibits elections during martial law, which was declared following Russia's full-scale invasion. However, Trump, potentially violating the law, defended his position by criticizing Zelensky, suggesting he could have made deals but chose not to.\n\nZelensky offered a compromise, asking Trump's team to convey to Russian President Vladimir Putin a two-month ceasefire (60 days off) in exchange for elections. He reiterated his readiness for the people of Ukraine to choose their leadership. When questioned about Trump and other figures like Elon Musk blaming him for the ongoing war, Zelensky attributed their stance to their inability to find a way to stop Putin, finding it easier to pressure others.\n\nZelensky also debunked Trump's claim that Ukraine is responsible for rising fuel prices globally, pointing out that the prices are due to the war in the Middle East and the blockage of Hormuz. He urged people to face reality and not play games with them. Despite the criticism, Zelensky expressed hope that Europe, the U.S., and Ukraine would continue to work together to stop Putin, emphasizing that Ukraine would defend itself to protect its life, homes, freedom, independence, and nation.",
  "summary": "Zelensky said he told Trump's team, \"please tell Putin, give us two months, 60 days off. Total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organize elections.\"",
  "key_points": [
    "Zelensky offers elections in Ukraine only with a two-month ceasefire.",
    "Ukraine's law prohibits elections during martial law.",
    "Zelensky blames Trump and others for inability to stop Putin."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Kyiv Post",
        "title": "Zelensky: Ukraine Could Hold Elections With 60-Day Ceasefire",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/zelensky-ukraine-could-hold-elections-with-60-day-ceasefire",
        "published": "2026-10-11T13:50:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Ukraine to hold elections if Putin agrees to 60-day ceasefire – Zelenskyy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/ukraine-to-hold-elections-if-putin-agrees-to-60-day-ceasefire",
        "published": "2026-10-11T14:20:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "‘Up to our people’ to pick leader, Zelensky responds to Trump",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/up-to-our-people-to-pick-leader-zelensky-responds-to-trump",
        "published": "2026-10-11T14:30:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "'Do not break it': Trump announces ‘energy ceasefire’ between Russia, Ukraine amid escalating tensions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/do-not-break-it-trump-announces-energy-ceasefire-between-russia",
        "published": "2026-10-11T14:30:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Trump says Russia, Ukraine agree to energy ceasefire – 'news for me', Zelensky says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/trump-says-russia-ukraine-agree-to-energy-ceasefire-news-for-me",
        "published": "2026-10-11T14:39:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "Trump announces 'energy ceasefire' between Russia and Ukraine",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/trump-announces-energy-ceasefire-between-russia-and-ukraine",
        "published": "2026-10-11T14:47:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Axios",
        "title": "Trump claims Russia and Ukraine agree to energy ceasefire",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/trump-claims-russia-and-ukraine-agree-to-energy-ceasefire",
        "published": "2026-10-11T14:55:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Ukrainians will decide their next leader, Zelensky tells Trump",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/ukrainians-will-decide-their-next-leader-zelensky-tells-trump",
        "published": "2026-10-11T15:06:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}