President Volodymyr Zelensky pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s call for a new Ukrainian leader, saying any successor would continue defending Ukraine and that choosing a president was a decision for Ukrainians.
Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Zelensky rejected the suggestion that his departure would resolve the obstacles to ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.
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He said a future president, whether a man or a woman, would still have a responsibility to protect the country.
“I am sure that a new man or woman will defend our country, because this is our home,” Zelensky said.
“How can you do otherwise?”
His response challenged Trump’s argument that a change in Ukraine’s leadership could produce an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump said on Saturday, Oct. 10 that Ukraine needed a new president capable of reaching a deal, accusing Zelensky of passing up opportunities to end the war.
Morgan put Trump’s comments directly to Zelensky, telling him: “He wants you gone.”
Zelensky responded that Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory had begun before he took office. When he became president, Crimea and parts of the Donbas region were already occupied, as his predecessor had also confronted Russia.
Zelensky’s argument was that Ukraine’s resistance reflected the country’s interests rather than the position of one president. According to him, a successor might defend Ukraine better or worse, but would nevertheless defend it, rejecting the idea that foreign figures should determine who holds office.
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His removal, he said, would be “a decision for our people, not Trump, not Musk, not anyone else.”
Asked whether he intended to resign, Zelensky answered: “No, of course not. This is my responsibility.”
He said holding a presidential election was currently nearly impossible because Russian attacks continued every hour.
On Monday, Oct. 12, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed that Trump had suggested Ukraine choose a new president because Zelensky was unwilling to make the decisions needed to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“Trump said that, in his opinion, it is time for a new president,” Peskov said.
“Why? Because the president of Ukraine must make very responsible and very difficult decisions to stop this war.”
Peskov accused Zelensky of failing to demonstrate the political will to take those steps.
“Either Zelensky takes on that responsibility and demonstrates that political will, or he does not,” he said. “So far, he has not.”
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