Russia rejects Ukraine ceasefire offer

The debate over holding elections in Ukraine began over the weekend after US President Donald Trump attacked Zelensky and called for replacing him with a different leader who could "make a deal" with Russia. "I suggest they elect a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason he never does," Trump said. "I think it's time for Ukraine to have a new president."

In response, Zelensky said Sunday that he is willing to hold elections in his country, provided Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees to a 60-day ceasefire. "With all due respect to President Trump, this is our nation, our citizens, who must choose their leader," Zelensky said in an interview with ABC News. "We are at war, and it is very difficult to organize elections in such a situation. There is not enough security, and it is against the law. But the main thing is that we need secure infrastructure, so that people are not afraid to vote."

He then addressed Trump directly: "I know that Putin also wanted regime change in Ukraine. So please, Trump, pass a message to Putin: give us two months, 60 days of complete ceasefire, and we will hold elections in Ukraine. That is the first step. If they want a ceasefire - we are ready for it. And we will be ready to accept any decision that the Ukrainian people make."