Zelenskyy on Trump’s call to hold elections: Only people of Ukraine can change leader
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was ready for elections, but preparations would require at least 60 days, during which the security of infrastructure must be ensured.
The head of state said this in an interview with Fox News, Censor.NET reports.
Zelenskyy was commenting on Donald Trump’s statements about a change of leadership in Ukraine.
"Only our people can change the leader"
"If President Trump wants to change the leader in Ukraine, he must know that only our people can do that. I am ready for elections. I really am," he said.
"How can people vote?"
Zelenskyy explained that preparing for elections requires at least 60 days to ensure the security of infrastructure. According to him, Russia is currently attacking Ukraine every hour, using not dozens but thousands of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.
"How can people vote? This is not even about the law. The law is very important, but we are talking about security. Every hour, our people go to shelters because of Russian attacks," he said.
"Respect the people’s choice"
Zelenskyy added that if Russia wants to stop the war, it must agree to a ceasefire. And if the US and other parties want to change Ukraine’s president, they must respect the people’s choice, "as in your country and in every country, including Russia, by the way."
Background
- The previous day, US President Donald Trump said he believed it was time for Ukraine to elect a new leader capable of reaching agreements to end the war.
- Commenting on Trump’s statement, Peskov claimed that Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not demonstrating the political will to end the war.
- Zelenskyy, in turn, said he was ready to discuss elections if the US reached an agreement with Russia on a full ceasefire.
