'Time for Ukraine to get new president,' says Trump after Zelensky condemns diesel deal
US President Donald Trump has publicly suggested that Ukraine needs a new leader following President Zelensky's criticism of a US-Russia diesel deal. Trump defended the deal as a way to lower fuel prices while urging Ukraine to stop targeting Russian energy infrastructure.
Why it matters
This marks a significant escalation in diplomatic friction between the US and Ukraine, potentially signaling a shift in US support for the war effort.
Image source, Reuters By Rorey Bosotti Published 29 minutes ago US President Donald Trump has said he thinks "it's time for Ukraine to get a new president" as he responded to Volodymyr Zelensky's criticism of the US diesel deal with Russia.
Zelensky warned a new deal to release millions of tonnes of Russian diesel into the US would provide Moscow with money to continue its war in Ukraine.
Speaking to the media as he left the White House on Saturday, Trump said the Ukrainian president "wants to make problems for the world" by continuing to authorise attacks on Russian refineries.
"He'd better damn well stop," Trump said before suggesting Ukraine should "get a new leader who can make a deal".
Russia and Ukraine have recently intensified their strikes, targeting energy-generating and transport facilities, as well as major logistics hubs.
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