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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has proposed a 60-day full ceasefire with Russia to allow national elections to take place, responding to US President Donald Trump's suggestion that Ukraine needs a new leader. The remarks came in an interview with ABC News.

Zelenskiy said decisions about Ukraine's leadership belong to the Ukrainian people, noting that holding a vote during the ongoing war poses serious security and constitutional challenges. He asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a two-month truce, saying Ukraine would then organize elections and respect whatever outcome voters choose, provided people can cast ballots safely. He also addressed criticism from Trump and Elon Musk, arguing that neither has found a way to stop Putin.

Turning to Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy network, Zelenskiy said the sector was hit 196 times and gas and oil infrastructure 20 times in a single week. He suggested Kyiv could stop targeting Russian diesel plants and refineries if Moscow halted attacks on Ukrainian energy sites, calling it a possible first step toward ending the war. He also warned that a US-Russia diesel deal would channel revenue to Moscow to fund the conflict.

Key Takeaways

• Zelenskiy offered a 60-day full ceasefire with Russia as a way to hold Ukrainian elections
• He stressed that choosing Ukraine's leader is up to its people and that wartime voting faces major obstacles
• Ukraine's energy sector was struck 196 times in one week, Zelenskiy said