Trump says Ukraine needs new president after Zelenskyy condemns Russia fuel deal
Trump says Ukraine needs new president amid diesel dispute
Poinews.com – Trump says Ukraine needs new president, intensifying his criticism of Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Washington and Kyiv clash over a deal involving Russian diesel fuel. The US president said Ukraine needed a leader more willing to negotiate an end to Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Speaking at the White House before departing for Tennessee on Saturday, Trump argued that Zelenskyy had missed previous opportunities to reach an agreement with Moscow.
“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason he never does,” Trump told reporters.
Russian diesel deal deepens disagreement
The remarks came after Zelenskyy criticised a US arrangement with Russia to supply diesel fuel to American and global markets. Trump said the agreement was intended to ease high fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections.
After talks with Vladimir Putin, Trump said Russia would supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by another 500,000 tonnes during November.
“Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 tons during the month of November,” Trump said.
Zelenskyy condemned the deal, arguing that additional markets for Russian petroleum products could strengthen Moscow’s capacity to continue the war. He said the priority should be reciprocal de-escalation rather than measures that provide Russia with further energy revenue.
“Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged. What is needed is real de-escalation with Russia on a reciprocal basis,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president also called the arrangement a “gift to Putin” that would bring neither peace nor benefit to the civilised world.
Kremlin envoy welcomes Trump’s comments
Trump says Ukraine needs new president was welcomed by Kirill Dmitriev, the Kremlin’s special envoy for economic cooperation and a senior economic negotiator for Putin. In a post on X, Dmitriev described Trump’s intervention as “iconic and historic”.
“President Trump joins the many who believe that Ukraine needs leadership actually focused on peace, not Zelensky's warmongering,” Dmitriev said.
Zelenskyy has maintained that a settlement must not reward Russia’s invasion or allow Moscow to consolidate control over occupied Ukrainian territory. European officials have also raised concerns that renewed purchases of Russian petroleum products could provide additional funding for Russia’s military campaign.
Fuel prices and the Iran war
US diesel prices have risen since the United States and Israel carried out a joint attack on Iran on 28 February. The conflict involving Iran, alongside the war in Ukraine, has added to wider pressure on global energy supplies.
Trump has accused Zelenskyy of worsening diesel shortages through Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities. He said Ukraine had been urged not to target infrastructure connected to diesel production and distribution.
“He wants to make problems for the world. He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers, with diesel fuel,” Trump said.
Ukraine has targeted Russian refineries and related infrastructure as part of its effort to weaken the resources supporting Moscow’s war. Kyiv considers such strikes a response to Russia’s continuing attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy systems.
FAQ
Why did Trump criticise Zelenskyy? Trump said he believed Ukraine needed leadership prepared to make a deal to end the war with Russia.
Why does the diesel agreement matter? Zelenskyy and European officials fear that sales of Russian fuel could increase revenue available to Moscow while the war continues.
What is Ukraine’s position? Kyiv says any peace settlement should not reward Russia’s invasion or legitimise its control of occupied Ukrainian territory.