Zelensky Tells Trump Only Ukrainians Can Choose Their Leader
Ukraine’s president urged Washington to secure a two-month halt to fighting so a vote could be organized, while disputing Trump’s claim that Ukrainian refinery strikes were driving diesel prices higher.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pushed back against Donald Trump’s call to replace him, saying the choice belonged to Ukrainian voters and offering to organize elections if Russia accepted a 60-day total ceasefire.
Speaking to Fox News, Zelensky urged the U.S. president to press Vladimir Putin for a two-month suspension of hostilities to allow time to prepare for a vote.
“If Trump wants to change the leader in Ukraine, he has to know that only our people can change the leader,” he said.
"And I am ready for elections, really. We need a minimum of 60 days for the security of infrastructure to prepare elections."
A Ceasefire for Elections
Zelensky told ABC News that he had already discussed the proposal with Trump’s team.
He added that protecting polling infrastructure and enabling people to cast ballots were central requirements.
“Total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organize elections.”
He said Ukraine would accept its voters’ decision, while stressing that wartime elections faced both legal restrictions and security obstacles.
Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian law bars elections while those measures remain in force.
Zelensky's five-year presidential term ended in May 2024. The constitution allows him to remain in office until a newly elected president takes office.
A nationwide vote would also have to accommodate soldiers, displaced citizens, and voters abroad, alongside the threat of Russian attacks and the occupation of Ukrainian territory.
Trump’s Diesel Dispute
The exchange followed Trump’s criticism of Zelensky over Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries and a U.S. deal to bring Russian diesel onto international markets.
“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump told reporters, arguing that Zelensky had failed to seize opportunities for an agreement to end the war.
Zelensky disputed Trump’s explanation for elevated diesel prices. He attributed the pressure to disruption around the Strait of Hormuz rather than Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil facilities.
Energy Truce Under Strain
Zelensky also said Ukraine had refrained from attacking Russian energy facilities the previous night after Trump announced an energy ceasefire.
Russia nevertheless struck Ukrainian gas stations and other energy infrastructure, he said.
He proposed reciprocal restraint: Ukraine would stop targeting Russian diesel facilities and refineries if Moscow halted attacks on Ukraine’s energy system.
Ahmet Koçak
Ahmet Koçak is a news editor at Clash Report based in Istanbul. He previously served as Deputy Managing Editor at Türkiye Today, helping launch the digital news platform in 2023, and spent three years as Senior Editor at Daily Sabah. His work focuses on breaking news, geopolitics, international affairs, and digital journalism.
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