Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered to hold elections if Russia agrees to a complete two-month ceasefire, responding to recent criticism from US President Donald Trump who suggested Kyiv needs new leadership, according to RMF24.
“Tell Putin: give us two months, 60 days of complete ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organise elections,” Zelenskyy said on Sunday during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week” programme.
The statement came after Trump told media outlets on Saturday that the Ukrainian president could have ended the war many times but chose not to, adding that it was time for Ukraine to elect a new president.
Russian officials welcome Trump’s remarks
Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, Kirill Dmitriyev, described Trump’s words as “historic” the same day. In posts published on platform X, Dmitriyev wrote that Trump had joined those who believe Ukraine needs “leadership focused on peace”. He called the US president’s reaction “iconic and historic”, adding that the fuel agreement had “exposed Zelenskyy”.
Dmitriyev also shared a 2025 cover from American weekly magazine Time featuring Ukraine’s president with the headline “The Endgame”.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha defended Zelenskyy’s position. “President Volodymyr Zelenskyy leads our nation during war – a war for independence, freedom and dignity. He has the support of the Ukrainian people, who have the right to decide this,” Sybiha wrote on X. He added that foreign statements questioning the president’s position “only confirm that he is doing his job well” and “deserves support”.
Dispute follows sanctions relief announcement
The exchange occurred just days after Trump announced on Friday that he had reached an agreement with Putin to allow imports of 4.8 million tonnes of Russian diesel to the US and other countries over the coming months. The deal suspends sanctions on Russian fuel until April 2027.
Zelenskyy called this move a “birthday present for Putin”.
According to news portal Axios, Trump struck the deal with the Russian leader because Ukraine did not comply with US requests to stop attacking refineries. The US president had publicly called on Ukraine to halt such strikes. Zelenskyy declared readiness to do so if Russia stopped hitting Ukrainian energy infrastructure, but Washington reportedly wanted a unilateral cessation and did not consider Russian strikes on energy facilities comparable to Ukrainian attacks on refineries.
In his Friday statement, Zelenskyy said that easing sanctions was a gift to Putin that would not lead to peace, warning that Russia would repay such concessions with even greater terror.
What this means for Poles in the UK
The escalating diplomatic tensions between Washington and Kyiv carry significance for Britain’s Polish community, particularly those with family connections in Ukraine or who support humanitarian efforts for the country. The potential weakening of US support for Ukraine may increase pressure on European allies, including the UK, to sustain military and financial assistance.
Poles in Britain who donate to Ukrainian relief organisations or host refugees should monitor how shifts in American policy affect broader Western support structures. Any reduction in US aid could strain European resources and impact the support available to Ukrainian refugees in the UK. Those involved in fundraising or volunteer work should prepare for potential changes in the international aid landscape.
Additionally, the suspension of sanctions on Russian diesel may affect fuel markets and prices in the UK, though the immediate impact remains unclear. Polish workers in logistics, transport and energy sectors should stay informed about market developments that could influence their industries.
