Ukrainians Will Choose Their Next Leader - Zelensky Tells Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected calls from US President Donald Trump for him to be replaced, insisting that only Ukrainians have the right to decide their leadership.

Speaking in a televised interview with ABC News on Sunday, Zelensky said: “With all respect to President Trump, it’s up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader.”

The remarks followed Trump’s decision to temporarily waive sanctions on Russian diesel to ease US fuel prices ahead of the midterm elections, a move that drew criticism from Ukraine, European allies, and members of his own Republican Party.

Trump later accused Zelensky of worsening global fuel costs through Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries and suggested the country needed new leadership.

Zelensky countered by saying Ukraine could hold elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire, its first since the war began in 2022.

“Please tell Putin give us two months, 60 days of total ceasefire, and we will organise elections,” he said.

He stressed the importance of continued US and European support to maintain unity against Russia’s aggression. “To stop Putin and I think this is the main goal, to stop him, this is the main deal, to stop this war … we count on American support,” Zelensky added.

The Ukrainian leader also noted that Russia’s recent heavy attacks on civilian infrastructure showed Moscow felt little pressure to end the war, underscoring the urgency of international solidarity.