On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told ABC that Ukraine would hold national elections if Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a 60‑day ceasefire. The offer follows a week of escalating tensions after the United States lifted sanctions on Russian fuel, a move aimed at limiting Moscow's war funding.
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump criticized Zelenskyy for targeting Russian oil refineries, arguing that Ukraine should not attack Russian infrastructure. On Sunday, Trump announced—via Truth Social—that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate ceasefire of energy infrastructure, urging both sides to honor the arrangement.
Zelenskyy, however, said he was unaware of the Trump‑made announcement and would accept an energy ceasefire only if Moscow agreed to it. "The ceasefire announcement was news for me. If Russians agree to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will accept," he told Axios.
Zelenskyy argued that the choice of Ukraine's next president rests with its people, noting that Russia also reportedly wants a leadership change. In Donetsk, a displaced family says they would welcome a new leader to bring stability.
Russia's response by Monday will determine whether Ukraine can schedule elections, with international mediators poised to monitor any ceasefire compliance.