Trump Calls for New Ukrainian Leadership After Zelenskyy Criticizes Russia Diesel Deal

Oct 11, 2:46 AM2 min readCovered by 6 outlets

Drafted by AI from the sources below, fact-checked by the Ajako Taja Editorial Team · How we use AI

AI Summary

President Trump suggested Ukraine replace President Zelenskyy after a public clash over a new U.S. deal to import millions of tons of Russian diesel.

President Donald Trump said it is time for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the Ukrainian leader condemned a U.S. agreement to import Russian diesel fuel.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, Trump suggested Ukraine find a leader who can reach a peace deal to end the war with Russia. According to Fox News and Euronews, the president claimed Zelenskyy has not done enough to settle the conflict, stating, "He could have made many deals and, for some reason, he never does."

The friction stems from a deal Trump announced Friday to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7. While Trump argued the move would lower fuel prices for American farmers and ranchers, Zelenskyy described the agreement as a "gift to Putin" that would fund further Russian military aggression. BBC News reported that the Ukrainian leader warned the deal allows Moscow to continue dropping bombs on cities like Zaporizhzhia.

Trump also warned Zelenskyy to stop authorizing drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, which he blamed for causing global energy shortages. "We said, 'You can do whatever you want to Russia. Don't hit the refineries' because that's a world problem," Trump stated. Deutsche Welle noted that Trump’s criticism comes as he faces pressure over rising fuel costs ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.

Russian officials welcomed Trump's remarks, with Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev calling them "iconic and historic." Meanwhile, European officials expressed dismay over the fuel deal, and U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke with Zelenskyy to offer solidarity and call for an immediate energy ceasefire, according to the BBC.

Background

The global energy crisis intensified following a joint U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran in February 2026, which led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has also contributed to the strain on international fuel markets.