Zelenskyy rejects Trump call for election without ceasefire in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday that his country could hold elections if Russia agreed to a 60 day total ceasefire, responding to calls from United States President Donald Trump for Ukraine to pick a new leader. Euronews and Al Jazeera reported that Trump urged Ukraine to hold elections and suggested Zelenskyy should be replaced. Zelenskyy told ABC News in a television interview that it is up to the Ukrainian people to choose their leader. [1][2]

Trump criticized Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities, blaming them for driving up global energy costs and US diesel prices, according to Al Jazeera and CBS News. The criticism followed an agreement by Washington to buy diesel fuel from Russia, Al Jazeera reported. [2][5]

Zelenskyy pushed back against the criticism by stating that Russia alone is responsible for the war in Ukraine, Euronews reported. The tension follows earlier international support for the Ukrainian government, as FTMQ News reported earlier when British officials reaffirmed their backing for Zelenskyy after the US announced its Russian diesel deal. [1][17]

The public dispute highlights growing friction over international energy policy and the ongoing conflict. European leaders have continued to back Zelenskyy following the dispute over the fuel deal, according to Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty. [8][9]