American leader Donald Trump has suggested that Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky should step down from office, stating that the Ukrainian president has repeatedly turned down chances to settle the ongoing war with Russia through diplomacy.
Trump made the remarks to journalists outside the White House on Saturday, urging Ukraine to choose a leader willing to reach an agreement with Moscow.
“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump said.
“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal,” he added, saying of Zelensky, “For some reason he never does.”
The US president also demanded that Ukraine stop attacking Russian oil refineries, blaming the strikes for worsening a global diesel shortage and increasing costs for American farmers and ranchers.
“He better damn well stop,” Trump said.
His comments followed his announcement on Friday of a diesel supply agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, under which Moscow would deliver more than 300,000 tons immediately, another 500,000 tons in November and a further one million tons afterward.
Trump said an additional three million tons could be supplied, depending on the condition of Russia’s refineries.
Washington temporarily eased sanctions on Russian diesel exports to facilitate the deliveries. The restrictions had been imposed as part of efforts to limit Moscow’s energy revenues, which help fund its war against Ukraine.
Zelensky told US News agency, Axios, that the agreement had taken him by surprise, describing it as “not fair and not honest” and calling it an unjustified gift to Putin.
According to Axios, citing a US official with direct knowledge of the matter, Trump decided to pursue the deal after Zelensky ignored six US requests to stop the attacks on Russian refineries.
However, Kyiv had proposed a reciprocal arrangement under which Ukraine would halt its strikes if Russia stopped attacking Ukrainian power plants.
Zelensky reportedly presented the proposal to Trump and his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
A Ukrainian official also told Axios that the US envoys threatened to cut off intelligence sharing with Kyiv if the refinery attacks continued.
A US official disputed that account, saying Witkoff and Kushner had instead emphasised Washington’s military support for Ukraine and urged Kyiv to avoid actions that could harm American consumers.
What You Should Know
This news highlights a major shift in US-Ukraine diplomatic relations, as President Donald Trump publicly advocates for a leadership change in Kyiv and finalizes a diesel supply deal with Russia. This development underscores mounting international pressure on Ukraine regarding its military strategies and energy policies.
- Positive Impact: The Russian diesel supply agreement orchestrated by the US could help alleviate global diesel shortages, potentially lowering fuel costs for everyday consumers, farmers, and businesses.
- Potential Concerns: The rift between Washington and Kyiv over refinery attacks and leadership changes introduces political uncertainty, raising anxieties about the future of international intelligence sharing and continued global support for Ukraine.
