U.S. President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of hurting global diesel supplies by targeting Russian oil refineries.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Saturday (10 October), Trump said it was “time for Ukraine to get a new president” and criticised Zelenskyy for continuing attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
Trump’s comments came a day after he announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to resume some diesel exports from Russia. The agreement drew a sharp response from Zelenskyy, who said easing pressure on Moscow had emboldened Russia.
“Today, Russia said thank you for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia,” Zelenskyy said, referring to a Russian attack that killed 20 people, including three children.
The six-year-old girl was among those killed when part of an apartment building was destroyed in the southern Ukrainian city. Her grandfather, Anatoliy Chumniy, was photographed mourning over her body after rescuers recovered it from the rubble.
Trump said Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries were contributing to higher diesel prices and harming American farmers and ranchers.
“I said to him, ‘Do what you want. Don’t hit refineries,’” Trump said, adding, “He better damn well stop.”
He also accused Zelenskyy of failing to reach a peace agreement with Russia, saying Ukraine’s president could have made “many deals” but had not done so.
Zelenskyy has instead urged Washington to increase pressure on Moscow and push it towards serious negotiations to end the war.
Trump’s diesel agreement with Putin has also faced criticism in Washington. Republican Representative Don Bacon said the U.S. should impose additional sanctions recently approved by Congress rather than lift existing measures.
Analysts cited by Reuters said the agreement was unlikely to bring sustained lower fuel prices because Russian exports remain well below normal levels while Ukrainian attacks continue to affect refinery output.
The rise in diesel and other energy prices has become a political issue for Trump and his Republican Party ahead of November’s U.S. midterm elections.
The latest Russian strikes came as Ukrainian and European officials met with U.S. negotiators in Miami on Friday to work on a joint proposal for ending the war.
Trump announced the diesel deal while those discussions were underway, catching the Ukrainian side by surprise, according to a person familiar with the talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also said an immediate return to peace talks is unlikely, citing Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke with Zelenskyy on Saturday and said Britain would strengthen its sanctions against Russia. The two leaders are expected to meet in person in the coming days.
The latest developments leave Washington pressing Kyiv to stop attacks on Russian energy facilities, while Ukraine is seeking stronger pressure on Moscow as Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities continue.
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