Belarusian leader says it is not for Trump to decide who should be president of Ukraine

Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed Belarusian leader, has stated that it is not for Donald Trump to decide who should be the president of Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, citing Belarusian media outlet Zerkalo

Details: Lukashenko stated this in response to questions from journalists against the background of new statements by Trump that Ukraine needs to change its president.

Quote: "Do you want an answer from me as a politician or in essence? If in essence – this is not Trump's issue. Who will be the president in Ukraine, the Ukrainian people will decide."

Details: Lukashenko noted that Volodymyr Zelenskyy had once promised to remain in the position of head of state for one term.

Quote: "Promises must be kept. One needs to go to the elections. In this, Trump is right: if promised, promises must be kept. But only dictating is not needed. Trump should not dictate how Ukraine should act."

Background:

• US President Donald Trump accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of a reluctance to end the war, stating that "it is time for Ukraine to get a new president".
• Following Trump's comments, Zelenskyy stated his readiness to organise presidential elections in Ukraine if Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin agrees to a 60-day ceasefire.

Subscribe on Patreon to back our journalism long-term.