Zelenskyy calls on Putin for elections: 'Give 60 days of full ceasefire, let's go to the polls'

Ukraine's President Volodimir Zelenskyy directly addressed Russia's President Vladimir Putin, stating he is ready to hold elections in exchange for a 60-day complete ceasefire. In an interview relayed by the Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy told ABC News: "Tell Putin, give us 60 days; a complete ceasefire, 60 days, and we will hold elections."

Behind the proposal lies Trump's demand for a leadership change in Ukraine. Zelenskyy emphasized that the country's people will decide who leads, noting that holding elections under ongoing war conditions poses serious security and constitutional difficulties. He stressed that the necessary conditions must first be established to enable citizens to vote safely.

Zelenskyy also responded to statements by Trump and Elon Musk holding him responsible for the war's continuation, noting that these figures have not yet found a way to stop Putin.

The situation on the energy front reveals how critical the timing of the ceasefire proposal is. According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine's energy sector came under Russian attack 196 times in just one week, while natural gas and oil infrastructure was targeted 20 times. Trump had announced on the same days that a ceasefire had been reached between Russia and Ukraine on not attacking energy infrastructure; however, Ukraine's military stated that Russia attacked an oil refinery in the Samara region hours after the ceasefire was announced.

Ukraine's last regular presidential election was held in March 2019; the 2024 elections were postponed due to martial law. Zelenskyy's 60-day proposal directly responds to both Trump's pressure and international legitimacy debates.