Zelenskyy rejects Trump's call for Ukraine to stop attacking Russian refineries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries and hold new elections, but only if Moscow agrees to a sixty-day truce.

The announcement followed President Donald Trump’s decision on Friday to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports. Trump stated the move would lower global and domestic fuel prices before next month’s US midterm elections.

Zelenskyy called the decision "weak". He warned the policy would generate a massive sum in extra revenue for President Vladimir Putin, allowing him to continue fighting with greater intensity.

On Saturday, Trump pushed back against the Ukrainian president. He told Zelenskyy to "damn well stop" hitting Russian refineries and said Ukraine needs a different head of state.

Zelenskyy dismissed the criticism during an interview with ABC News. He stated that Ukrainians will choose their own leaders. He maintained that Kyiv will hold elections only if Russia stops attacking Ukrainian energy sites.