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Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine could hold elections if Vladimir Putin agrees to a 60-day ceasefire. He also said Kyiv could pause refinery strikes if Moscow stops attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy(File Photo: Reuters)
Oct 11, 2026 19:15 IST
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered to organise elections in Ukraine if Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees to a 60-day ceasefire, while also signalling Kyiv's willingness to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow stops striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy made the remarks in response to US President Donald Trump's criticism of his leadership and demands that Ukraine stop targeting Russian refineries. In an interview with ABC News, Zelenskyy said a ceasefire would create the conditions needed to organise elections, which Ukraine cannot hold under its current martial law restrictions.
This comes as Trump faces mounting pressure over rising fuel prices in the US and seeks to push Moscow and Kyiv towards a settlement. However, Zelenskyy has maintained that Ukraine will not accept unilateral concessions without reciprocal action from Russia and credible security guarantees.
ZELENSKYY LINKS UKRAINE ELECTIONS TO 60-DAY CEASEFIRE
Zelenskyy's election proposal directly addresses Trump's criticism that Ukraine should replace its president after failing to reach a deal with Moscow.
Ukraine's legislation prohibits elections under martial law, which has remained in force during Russia's full-scale invasion. Kyiv has repeatedly argued that holding a nationwide vote during wartime would pose serious security and logistical challenges.
Trump on Saturday criticised Zelenskyy over Ukraine's continued attacks on Russian oil refineries, saying the Ukrainian leader had “better damn well stop”. He also suggested that Ukraine needed a different leader, arguing that Zelenskyy had missed opportunities to negotiate an agreement with Putin.
Zelenskyy's response indicated that a temporary halt in hostilities could help address the election question, provided Moscow agreed to the proposed ceasefire.
The Ukrainian President has consistently rejected the idea of making concessions to Russia without firm guarantees that Moscow would respect any agreement.
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