Zelenskyy: Tell Putin to give us a two-month ceasefire and we'll hold elections
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine is willing to hold elections if Russia agrees to a full 60-day ceasefire.
Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with ABC News
Quote: "I know that Putin wants very much to change the president in Ukraine – I understand it.
And if President Trump really wants to have some changes during elections, I also shared this with his team – please tell Putin: give us two months – 60 days – of total ceasefire, and we will organise elections.
Of course, we will be ready for any choice of our people – exactly Ukrainian people."
Details: Zelenskyy emphasised that, with all due respect to President Trump, the choice of Ukraine's leader is a matter for the Ukrainian people.
He pointed out that Ukraine is at war, and this makes holding elections extremely complex. Not only does it go against the Ukrainian Constitution, but security infrastructure is required to ensure that it is safe for people to vote.
Zelenskyy also said Ukraine is willing to agree to an energy truce.
Quote: "And if the Russians want us not [to] attack their diesel, their refineries etc., we are asking President Trump to give them a signal not to attack energy infrastructure of Ukraine.
It's a fair deal. It's not the best deal – the best deal is not to have a war, to stop Putin. But the first step is an energy ceasefire. If they want an energy ceasefire, we are open for this. Don't attack us. Don't kill our children. We will stop attack[ing] your diesel. And I think it's fair – a fair deal."
Background:
- On 10 October, Trump said it is time for Ukraine to get a new president who could make a deal with Russia.
- American billionaire Elon Musk has agreed with Trump's assertion that Zelenskyy "could have settled this war many, many times, but he chooses not to" and that Ukraine needs a new leader.
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has emphasised that President Zelenskyy has the support of the Ukrainian people.
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