United States: US President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, criticising Kyiv’s attacks on Russian energy infrastructure amid a dispute over Washington’s decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports.
Trump made the remarks at the White House on Saturday, a day after announcing a diesel supply agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He accused Zelenskiy of disrupting global fuel supplies by targeting Russian refineries and urged him to stop attacks on energy facilities.
“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump told reporters, arguing that Zelenskiy had failed to reach a peace agreement with Moscow.
Why Has Zelenskiy Criticised the Diesel Deal?
Zelenskiy said the US decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports had encouraged Moscow to continue its military campaign. He linked the announcement to a Russian strike on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia that killed 20 people, including three children, according to Ukrainian authorities.
“Different signals are needed,” Zelenskiy said, calling on Washington to increase pressure on Russia and pursue serious negotiations to end the war, which has continued for more than four years.
The Russian government announced on Saturday that it had partially lifted a ban on diesel exports. The agreement has also drawn criticism from US lawmakers, including Republican Representative Don Bacon, who called for additional sanctions rather than easing existing restrictions.
Analysts said the arrangement was unlikely to deliver sustained reductions in fuel prices, noting that the volumes involved remained below Russia’s usual export levels when its refineries were operating without disruption.
How Have Britain and Other Officials Responded?
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke with Zelenskiy on Saturday and said the UK would strengthen sanctions against Russia, according to a Downing Street spokesperson. The two leaders are expected to meet in person in the coming days.
The dispute unfolded as Ukrainian and European officials held talks with US negotiators in Miami on Friday to develop a joint proposal for ending the war. Zelenskiy said Washington’s diesel announcement had caught Kyiv by surprise.
Putin said after a telephone conversation with Trump on Friday that an immediate resumption of peace talks was unlikely, citing Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow.
Russian state news agency TASS reported that US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner could visit Moscow within the next two weeks.
Trump reiterated his opposition to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, saying Kyiv should focus on other targets and pursue an agreement to end the conflict. The latest exchange highlights growing differences between Washington and Kyiv over sanctions, energy supplies and the path towards a peace settlement.