Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has accused Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky of lacking the political resolve necessary to end Russia’s aggression, stating that Zelensky has failed to demonstrate the will to achieve peace.

In a recent interview, Peskov emphasized that U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Ukraine to elect a new leader, noting that “Ukraine’s president must make very responsible and very difficult decisions to stop this war.”

Peskov further stated that Zelensky has not yet shown the required political will, adding: “Either Zelensky takes on this responsibility and shows such political will, or he does not.”

The Kremlin official added that Russia seeks a Ukrainian leader who recognizes the realities on the ground and moves toward a peaceful settlement.

This comes after Trump suggested it is time for Ukraine to have “a new president,” accusing Zelensky of repeatedly rejecting peace opportunities. Trump has also claimed that he believes Russia wants an agreement while Zelensky does not.

Zelensky’s presidential term expired in May 2024, but he has refused to hold new elections, citing martial law. Moscow has declared him illegitimate, arguing that his status obstructs a binding peace deal.

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov suggested that Zelensky fears a new election due to potential competition from former army chief Valery Zaluzhny, who is also considered a possible candidate.

A U.S. official reported that Trump is “really mad” at Zelensky over attacks by the Ukrainian military on Russian oil refineries. The U.S. administration has threatened to suspend intelligence sharing and block weapons sales through the NATO-coordinated PURL mechanism unless the Ukrainian military ceases its strikes.

On Sunday, Trump announced an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Zelensky dismissed the announcement as “news for me” but stated he would stop attacks on Russian refineries if Moscow halts its strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Additionally, Zelenskiy has insisted that elections in Ukraine can only occur after Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire.

Moscow opposes temporary ceasefires, claiming they would allow Kyiv time to rebuild forces and receive Western weapons.