Trump calls for Ukraine to "get a new leader" after diesel deal clash
After President Volodymyr Zelensky called Friday’s U.S. easing of Russian diesel sanctions a “weak decision,” President Donald Trump said Ukraine should “get a new leader” who can make a deal. European allies backed Zelensky and said they would not ease pressure on Moscow.
What Trump said: Asked about Zelensky’s criticism of the diesel deal, Trump accused the Ukrainian president of blocking a settlement with Moscow and of ignoring instructions not to strike Russian refineries. “He better damn well stop,” Trump said, according to RTE and the Kyiv Independent. “I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal, because he could have made many deals that, for some reason, he never does,” RTE reported; the Kyiv Independent also quoted him saying, “I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.”
Putin and elections: Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin “would like to see a settlement, strongly” and that Russia wants a deal, RTE reported. He also said Zelensky should hold an election; Ukraine has not held a presidential vote since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the same outlet said.
European and Ukrainian pushback: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said lifting sanctions on Russian diesel would help sustain Russia’s war and that “Europe won’t” ease pressure, RTE reported. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham reiterated “complete solidarity” with Zelensky and said Britain would strengthen sanctions on Russia. Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andriy Sybiga, said Zelensky has the support of the Ukrainian people and that they have the right to decide, according to RTE.
War backdrop: The clash followed Friday’s Trump-Putin diesel arrangement and Miami talks involving U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials. Russian strikes across Ukraine over the weekend killed people including children, RTE and the Kyiv Independent reported, as Kyiv and European allies warned that easing pressure on Moscow would help fund the war.