According to Reuters, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in response to criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump on October 11 that Ukraine would hold elections if Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a 60-day ceasefire.
Zelenskyy said in an episode of an American broadcasting company: "Please tell Putin that if we get a full two-month, 60-day ceasefire, we will organize elections within 60 days."
On October 9, Trump announced an agreement with Putin for diesel supply, and lifted sanctions on Russian diesel exports, in order to alleviate the pressure of rising fuel prices in the United States. According to the terms of the agreement revealed by Trump, Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 tons of diesel to the United States and global markets, approximately 2.25 million barrels of fuel. The United States currently exports about 1.5 million barrels of diesel per day.
On October 10 local time, Trump warned Zelenskyy to stop attacking Russian refineries. Trump also said it was time for a new president in Ukraine.
Trump believes that due to the potential impact on the global energy supply, Ukraine should avoid attacking Russian refineries. “We say, ‘You can do anything you want to Russia, but don’t attack the refineries,’ because this creates a global problem.”
Trump also criticized Zelensky for failing to reach an agreement to end the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. "He could have reached many agreements, but for some reason, he never did."
Zelenskyy responded by saying that the leader should be chosen by the Ukrainian people, and also pointed out that Putin also wishes for Ukraine to change its leader.
In November, U.S. congressional elections will take place, and these elections will determine whether the Republican Party can continue to control Congress during the last two years of Trump's presidency. Trump is under considerable pressure to lower rising fuel prices before the elections.
Several members of Congress, including some Republicans, criticized this US-Russia diesel agreement, stating that it amounted to rewarding Putin.
