Trump Urges Ukraine to Replace Zelenskyy Over Russia Diesel Deal

A dispute over Russian diesel exports has intensified tensions between Washington and Kyiv, with US President Donald Trump calling for a new Ukrainian president while defending an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The confrontation unfolded Saturday as Russian attacks killed 20 people, including three children, in Zaporizhzhia, prompting Ukraine to warn that easing pressure on Moscow could encourage further assaults.

Trump linked his demand for a change in Ukrainian leadership to Kyiv's attacks on Russian oil refineries, which he blamed for worsening global diesel shortages and raising fuel prices. The agreement announced Friday would allow Russia to supply diesel to international markets as Washington seeks to address elevated energy costs.

At the White House, Trump said Ukraine should change its leadership.

"I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president," Trump said.

He argued that Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries were affecting American farmers and ranchers because Russia supplies a substantial share of the world's diesel. Trump has also pressed Zelenskyy for weeks to halt strikes against Russian energy infrastructure.

"He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers with diesel fuel because Russia supplies a large portion of the diesel fuel throughout the world," Trump said.

Trump also accused Zelenskyy of obstructing efforts to reach a settlement and said Putin wanted an agreement following their Friday phone conversation.

"Russia would like to make a deal … but for whatever reason, Zelenskyy does not want to make a deal," Trump said.

Trump reiterated his account of Putin's position during his remarks.

"President Putin would like to see a settlement, strongly," Trump said.

He also recounted telling Zelenskyy to avoid Russian refineries before Ukraine carried out further attacks.

"Do what you want. Don’t hit refineries. There’s plenty of targets. Don’t hit refineries," Trump said.

Trump issued a further warning to the Ukrainian president.

"He better damn well stop," Trump said.

He argued that Ukraine needed a leader willing 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, but for some reason, he never does," Trump said.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha defended Zelenskyy, emphasizing that the country's citizens should determine their own leadership. He responded after Trump's remarks intensified a dispute already fueled by Washington's diesel agreement with Moscow.

"He has the support of the Ukrainian people, and they have the right to decide," Sybiha said.

Sybiha also rejected the suggestion that foreign criticism undermined Zelenskyy's position.

"Statements from abroad only confirm that he is doing his job well. He deserves support," Sybiha said.

Zelenskyy condemned the diesel agreement on Friday, describing it as "terrible" and "not fair and not honest". He subsequently connected the easing of restrictions on Russian fuel exports to the deadly attack on Zaporizhzhia.

"Today, Russia said thank you for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia," Zelenskyy said.

He warned that reducing economic pressure could reinforce Moscow's willingness to continue its military campaign.

"Last night provided yet more confirmation that Russia perceives any easing of pressure as a signal that it can supposedly keep fighting, that it can supposedly keep dropping bombs on cities," Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president called for a different approach from international partners.

"Different signals are needed," Zelenskyy said.

The Zaporizhzhia attack was the third mass-casualty assault in Ukraine within four days, according to Al Jazeera. Russian strikes on Wednesday and Thursday killed nearly 80 civilians, including at least 30 people in Kramatorsk and 22 in Pryluky, approximately 130 kilometers east of Kyiv.

Zelenskyy said every additional $1 billion Russia earns through exports could finance weapons components, drone upgrades, missile production and the recruitment of mercenaries. He also said Ukraine was coordinating measures to counter Moscow's additional revenue, discussing air defense with French President Emmanuel Macron and expecting ammunition for F-16 fighter jets in the coming days to intercept Russian Shahed drones.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed solidarity with Ukraine in a conversation with Zelenskyy on Saturday, according to a Downing Street statement. Burnham acknowledged the difficulties Ukraine had faced over the previous 24 hours.

"the past 24 hours had been difficult for Ukraine and reiterated his complete solidarity," the Downing Street readout said.

The leaders also discussed continuing economic pressure on Russia.

"the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia," the statement said.

Burnham reaffirmed Britain's intention to tighten restrictions and constrain Russia's military capacity.

"would continue to strengthen its sanctions on Russia and to take further action to constrain the Russian war machine," the Downing Street statement said.

The two leaders agreed to meet in person in the coming days. Germany likewise said it would continue working with European partners on additional sanctions despite the diesel agreement.

"The German government sticks to its measures sanctioning Russia and is working jointly with its European partners on new sanctions," German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said.

Kornelius reiterated Berlin's position on assistance to Kyiv.

"support for Ukraine in its struggle to defend itself remains unfailing," Kornelius said.

He also confirmed that diplomatic efforts would continue.

"Diplomatic efforts for a peaceful solution continue," Kornelius said.

Meanwhile, Kremlin economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev welcomed Trump's demand for a leadership change in Ukraine.

"historic," Dmitriev said of Trump's remarks.

Dmitriev framed the US president's position as support for a different approach to negotiations.

"President Trump joins the many who believe that Ukraine needs leadership actually focused on peace," Dmitriev said in a post on X.

Russian state news reported Saturday that US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have led efforts to broker a peace agreement, could travel to Moscow within two weeks. A Ukrainian delegation that had held discussions with US and European officials in Miami was returning home, according to presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn.

Russia's Defense Ministry said its drones struck a data-processing center in Kyiv and a cargo ship carrying military supplies to Odesa. It also claimed Russian forces captured Lukashove and Lobanivka in the Kharkiv region. Reuters said it could not independently verify the battlefield claims.

The diesel agreement also drew criticism from US lawmakers, including Republican Representative Don Bacon, who called for the implementation of additional sanctions recently approved by Congress rather than easing existing restrictions. The agreement followed a sanctions law Trump signed the previous month targeting Russian oil and gas revenue.