The key facts

  • Elon Musk wrote on X that it is time for Zelensky to step aside, in response to a clip of the interview with Piers Morgan
  • On October 10, Trump said it was time to elect a new president of Ukraine; in his view, Zelensky could have ended the conflict but chose not to
  • Zelensky allows for elections under a 60-day ceasefire; his term expired on May 20, 2024, but due to martial law he continues to serve as president

Musk's statement

American businessman and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should resign. He wrote this in a post on the social network X. The statement was made in response to a post by a user discussing a clip of Zelensky's interview with British TV presenter Piers Morgan, in which the Ukrainian president said he did not want to sell his country. 'In that case, the slaughter will continue... It is time for Zelensky to step aside,' Musk wrote.

Trump's position and Zelensky's response

Earlier, on October 10, US President Donald Trump also said that the time had come to elect a new president in Ukraine. According to him, Zelensky could have ended the conflict with Russia on multiple occasions, but chose not to do so. Zelensky himself said that elections could be held if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire.

Context

Volodymyr Zelensky's presidential term expired on May 20, 2024. However, due to the ongoing martial law in Ukraine, he continues to serve as president.