Trump Calls for New Ukrainian Leadership as Zelensky Slams US-Russia Diesel Deal

US President Donald Trump has publicly suggested that Ukraine should replace its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, following sharp criticism from Kyiv over a newly announced American agreement to import Russian diesel. Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, Trump said he believed "it's time for Ukraine to get a new president," escalating a war of words between Washington and Kyiv over energy policy and the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The US president's remarks came after Zelensky condemned the diesel deal, warning that releasing millions of tonnes of Russian diesel into the US market would hand Moscow fresh revenue to sustain its war effort. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing it would allow Russia to fund new military equipment and continue its bombing campaign against Ukrainian cities.

Trump responded forcefully, telling journalists that Zelensky "wants to make problems for the world" by continuing to authorize attacks on Russian oil refineries. "He'd better damn well stop," Trump said, before suggesting that Ukraine should "get a new leader who can make a deal." The US president added that he had personally warned against striking refineries, telling reporters: "We said, 'you can do whatever you want to Russia, don't hit the refineries,' because that's a world problem that's caused." He also claimed Zelensky "could have made many deals and for some reason, he never does."

The exchange marks a significant deterioration in relations between Washington and Kyiv, which had already been strained by Trump's previous calls for Ukrainian elections. Last December, Trump publicly urged Ukraine to hold a vote, saying Ukrainian citizens should have the opportunity to replace Zelensky. However, elections have been suspended in Ukraine since the war broke out in 2022, when the country came under martial law.

The diesel agreement, confirmed by Trump on Friday, suspends US sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April. Under the deal, Russia would initially release 300,000 tonnes of diesel "to the American and global marketplace," followed by an additional 500,000 tonnes in November. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that a further million tonnes would follow, and then another three million tonnes "within a short period of time," though he noted this final delivery would be "based on the condition of their diesel refineries."

The deal represents the latest effort by Trump to lower fuel prices in the United States ahead of the midterm elections. For months, his administration has grappled with the political fallout from the Iran war, which began in February and has sent petrol and diesel costs soaring. According to AAA, the average price of diesel currently stands at $6.28 per gallon—up from $5.94 last month and just $3.68 a year ago. The surge in pump prices has soured Trump's standing with the American public and contributed to across-the-board inflation.

Zelensky reacted to the agreement by accusing Moscow of interpreting it as permission to keep fighting. He said Russia would take the deal "to mean they can keep fighting, to mean they keep dropping bombs on cities," following deadly new strikes on Zaporizhzhia. The Ukrainian president spoke with several allies on Saturday to discuss the latest developments, calling for "real decisions to protect lives in Ukraine" and to safeguard European security.

The agreement has also drawn criticism from European allies. Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign affairs chief, echoed Zelensky's concerns, stating that suspending sanctions "provides Moscow with more revenues to wage war." She added: "This is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe won't." Kallas indicated that European foreign ministers intend to approve the largest package of sanctions on Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion on Monday.

In London, a Downing Street spokesperson said UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham had spoken with Zelensky, and the two leaders agreed that Russia should accept "an immediate energy ceasefire" and halt attacks on shipping in the Black Sea. The spokesperson added that such a move "would immediately release more energy and food supplies into the global market."

Putin's envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, praised Trump's intervention, describing it as "iconic and historic" and asserting that Ukraine "needs leadership actually focused on peace." The comment underscores Moscow's willingness to frame the diesel deal as a diplomatic victory, even as Russian forces continue striking Ukrainian infrastructure.

The context of the diesel deal includes Russia's recent struggles with fuel shortages. Over the past ten months, Russia has experienced two waves of severe fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian drone strikes on its oil refineries. According to the International Energy Agency, Russian diesel production has dropped by an estimated 30%. Both Russia and Ukraine have intensified strikes in recent weeks, targeting energy-generating and transport facilities as well as major logistics hubs.

Trump's call for a new Ukrainian president is likely to resonate with critics who argue that Zelensky has failed to negotiate an end to the war. However, it also risks further alienating Kyiv and its European partners, who view the diesel deal as a dangerous concession to Moscow. The coming days will reveal whether the EU's planned sanctions package and the UK's push for an energy ceasefire can counterbalance Washington's latest move. For now, the divide between the US and its allies over how to handle Russia appears to be widening, with Ukraine caught in the middle.