Zelenskyy suggested that Washington may want to replace him

Volodymyr Zelenskyy effectively reproached the West for keeping Kyiv in the dark by not stating openly what its goals are regarding the future of Ukraine’s top leadership. According to the president, partners may want someone else to take his position.

He said this in an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan.

“I think our partners must answer one question: what do they want? Do they really want elections, or do they simply want to replace me? Because the Russians simply want to replace me,” the president said.

He also made it clear that in negotiations he is demanding a ceasefire before any final agreements are signed. He repeated his call for a two-month truce in order to hold elections and a referendum to approve a peace deal.

“If the truce is at least two months and that can lead to signing an agreement or a referendum or something similar, and if people accept it, then please—I will do everything I can,” Zelenskyy assured.

“If we can achieve a two-month truce to hold elections, I will do everything I can to speak with parliament and persuade it to support what it does not support right now,” the president added.

He urged the United States to “do its homework” and persuade Russia to agree to such a truce.

In addition, Zelenskyy told Morgan that the United States, Russia, and several European countries are discussing a new agreement between Russia and NATO.

“I know that the Americans and, perhaps, some Europeans are discussing a new document with Russia—between NATO and Russia. When they have such a document, they will be able to discuss everything. But for me it is important that they discuss our potential place in NATO with us. Not only with the Russians—with us. Because it concerns us. Although they may do this without us. Maybe we don’t know something. In any case, we will respond to surprises if there are any,” the president said.

Meanwhile, Moscow agrees to a ceasefire only after the Ukrainian Armed Forces withdraw from the Donbas. Kyiv has not agreed to this. However, according to Axios, Zelenskyy has already expressed readiness to discuss withdrawing Ukrainian troops from Donetsk Oblast, but called on Russia to pull its forces back by an equivalent distance.

Western media also report that talks in Geneva are discussing the creation of a demilitarized zone in Donetsk Oblast.