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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sings the Ukrainian national anthem during an apartment certificate award ceremony for recipients of the "Hero of Ukraine" order and the bereaved families of fallen soldiers in Kyiv on the 9th (local time). / AFP, Yonhap

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will hold a presidential election if Russia agrees to a 60-day comprehensive ceasefire.

In an interview with ABC News on the 11th (local time), President Zelenskyy said, "Ask Russian President Vladimir Putin for a 60-day full ceasefire. If that happens, we will hold elections." He added, "Choosing our leadership is entirely up to the Ukrainian people," noting that "seeking regime change is also Putin's desire."

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticized President Zelenskyy while speaking with reporters at the White House, asserting that "it is time for a new president in Ukraine." According to Reuters, this appeared to reflect frustration after Ukrainian forces struck Russian oil refineries shortly after Washington temporarily eased energy sanctions on Russia and announced plans to import Russian diesel to stabilize domestic fuel prices.

The Trump administration faces the challenge of containing soaring energy prices ahead of the November midterm elections. Under terms announced by President Trump on the 9th, Russia is set to immediately supply 300,000 metric tons (approximately 2.25 million barrels) of diesel to the U.S. and global markets.

In response, President Zelenskyy countered that recent rises in oil prices were driven by Middle East conflicts and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz rather than Ukrainian strikes on refineries. He also voiced concern that U.S. purchases of Russian fuel could end up financing Russia's war effort.

Previously, President Zelenskyy had proposed a mutual halt to strikes targeting energy infrastructure as a de-escalation step. He expressed Ukraine's willingness to stop attacking Russian oil refineries provided Russia halts airstrikes on Ukrainian civilian electrical and gas facilities.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration's plan to import Russian diesel has drawn bipartisan criticism within the U.S. Congress, with lawmakers warning that it weakens economic pressure on Moscow and helps finance an aggressor's war efforts, signaling ongoing controversy surrounding the implementation of the policy.

                                                                                                           Lee Jeong-eun