The frosty relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues. At another press briefing, Trump once again claimed that it is Russian President Vladimir Putin who is trying to push for a peace deal, while Zelensky is the one opposing it. Zelensky has now responded to Trump’s remarks, stating that he could consider elections—if Russia agrees to a two-month ceasefire.
At a press event on Saturday, Trump again stated that Ukraine should change its president. The comment came after Zelensky condemned Washington’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel. The background to the decision is the strained situation on the energy market, just weeks before the U.S. midterm elections.
According to Trump, Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries risk further exacerbating the situation on the global fuel market, where the war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran has contributed to fuel shortages and rising prices.
The open conflict between the U.S. and Ukraine has deepened since Trump indicated a willingness to ease sanctions on Russian fuel, thereby enabling more diesel to reach the world market.
The decision has been criticized by both Zelensky and several EU leaders, including Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), who warns that increased Russian energy revenues could help finance the war.
READ ALSO: Zelensky furious as Trump lets Russian fuel on the market: “Weakness”
At the same time, Trump told the press on Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is eager to broker a peace deal and end the war, while Zelensky on multiple occasions has had the opportunity to reach an agreement but has refused.
“I suggest they get a new leader who can strike a deal, since he could have made many agreements, but for some reason never does,” said Trump.
Trump thus accuses the Ukrainian leadership of obstructing peace negotiations. Furthermore, he accuses the Ukrainian president of not following his instructions to refrain from attacks on Russian oil refineries.
“President Putin really wants to make a deal,” Trump said.
Defends attacks on Russian oil
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky defends the country’s attacks on Russian oil refineries, emphasizing that they are a response to Russia’s repeated strikes on Ukraine’s energy supply.
In an interview with ABC News, Zelensky said that Ukraine is prepared to halt the attacks, provided that Russia simultaneously stops attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
“I have told President Trump, his team, and his people several times—we want peace, we are ready for a ceasefire, and we are prepared to take all forms of measures to reduce tensions,” he said, continuing:
“And if the Russians want us to stop attacking their diesel, their refineries, and so on, we ask President Trump to send them a signal to stop attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.”
“Don’t attack us. Don’t kill our children. Then we will stop attacking your diesel. And I think that is a fair, fair arrangement.”
Open to presidential election during ceasefire
Zelensky also responded to Trump’s demand that Ukraine should change presidents. He emphasized that it’s up to the Ukrainian people to decide who should lead the country.
“With all due respect for President Trump, it is up to our society, up to our people, to choose one leader or another.”
At the same time, he opened the door to holding a presidential election if Russia agrees to a full ceasefire for 60 days. However, he argues that an election would play into Russian President Vladimir Putin’s hands.
“I know that Putin really wants to replace Ukraine’s president, that I understand. And if President Trump truly wants to see some changes through an election, I have conveyed this to his team as well…”
“Tell Putin to give us two months, 60 days of a full ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organize an election. Of course, we will be ready to accept whatever choice our people make.”
Zelensky also dismissed Trump’s description of Ukraine as an obstacle to peace. According to the Ukrainian president, the criticism is due to the American leadership not finding a way to get Putin to end the war.
He also asserted that rising energy prices are mainly due to the war in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, rather than Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries.
Ceasefire for energy targets
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine have agreed on a ceasefire covering the energy sector. The announcement was published on social media, but no details about the terms of the agreement were provided.
According to Trump, the ceasefire goes into effect immediately. He ended his brief message with an appeal: “Don’t break it!”
A senior source in the Ukrainian presidential office told ABC News, however, that Zelensky and his team had not been informed of any such agreement in advance.
According to the source, they became aware of the announcement via social media and lacked information about the alleged deal. There was no reaction from the Russian side to the statement. Nor did the White House provide any further clarification.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meanwhile confirmed that the issue had been discussed and expressed support for the initiative.
“We discussed the energy ceasefire announced by President Trump. Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia does so as well. We are awaiting further details from the American side,” Zelensky wrote on social media.