Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is prepared to organise elections in Ukraine if Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees to a complete 60-day ceasefire, making a fresh proposal as tensions rise over Kyiv’s attacks on Russian oil infrastructure.
Speaking to ABC’s This Week on Sunday, Zelenskyy urged the United States to convey the proposal to Moscow. He said Ukraine could use the two-month pause in fighting to organise elections.
“Please tell Putin, give us two months, 60 days, of total ceasefire, and we will organise elections,” Zelenskyy said, according to Reuters.
His remarks come amid renewed pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has questioned Ukraine’s leadership and criticised its strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Trump Calls for New Ukrainian Leadership
Trump said on Saturday that it was time for Ukraine to get a new president, following criticism of Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities.
The comments added to tensions between Washington and Kyiv as the US administration pursues efforts to end the war. Trump has also criticised the impact of attacks on Russian energy infrastructure amid concerns about fuel prices.
Zelenskyy responded that the decision over Ukraine’s leadership belongs to its people. He suggested that Russian leadership would also welcome a change in government in Kyiv, but insisted that Ukrainians must determine their own political future.
The exchange highlights the continuing disagreements over how to end the conflict and what conditions should accompany any political settlement.
Why a 60-Day Ceasefire Matters
A sustained ceasefire could provide a period of relative security for election preparations, campaigning and voting. However, any agreement would depend on both sides stopping military operations and maintaining the truce.
Ukraine has faced repeated Russian missile and drone attacks since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced, while some territory remains under Russian occupation. These circumstances create major challenges for organising a nationwide vote.
A ceasefire would therefore be an important condition, but not necessarily enough on its own to resolve the security, legal and logistical difficulties surrounding elections.
Legal and Security Challenges Remain
Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Ukrainian law prohibits holding national elections while martial law remains in force, meaning any election plan would need to address the applicable legal framework.
Authorities would also have to consider how to provide safe polling stations, enable military personnel and displaced citizens to vote, and organise voting for Ukrainians living abroad or in occupied areas.
The government would need to establish whether the proposed ceasefire could provide sufficient security for candidates, election workers and voters across the country.
These issues mean that a political commitment to hold elections would still require detailed planning and decisions by Ukraine’s institutions.
Ukraine Signals Conditional Willingness to Halt Energy Strikes
Zelenskyy also said Ukraine was prepared to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow halted its strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
The proposal points to the possibility of a limited arrangement focused on energy facilities, although it is distinct from the broader 60-day ceasefire linked to elections.
Attacks on energy infrastructure have become a major feature of the conflict, affecting fuel supplies, electricity systems and wider economic conditions. Any agreement to stop such strikes would depend on reciprocal commitments and compliance by both sides.
What Happens Next?
Zelenskyy’s offer puts the responsibility for accepting a comprehensive ceasefire on Moscow while signalling that Kyiv is willing to consider elections under suitable conditions.
Whether the proposal leads to negotiations will depend on Russia’s response, the positions of Ukraine’s international partners and the ability of the parties to agree on enforceable terms.
For now, no election date has been announced as part of the 60-day proposal. The central question remains whether a ceasefire can be secured and whether Ukraine can establish the legal and practical conditions needed for a credible national vote.
