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Trump Slams Zelensky Over Diesel Deal Urges New Leader

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amid a controversial US-Russia diesel deal, saying the war with Russia began due to “incompetence” and suggesting it is time for Ukraine to get a new leader. The comments came just one day after Washington announced plans to buy more than one million tonnes of diesel from Russia to lower fuel prices.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, Trump said Zelensky could have settled the war multiple times but chooses not to. “Zelensky could have settled this war multiple times, but he chooses not to. We said, ‘You can do whatever you want to Russia, don’t hit the refineries, because that’s a world problem,'” Trump said. He added that Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian refineries were driving up American diesel prices and creating “problems for the world.”

Trump said it was “time for Ukraine to get a new president” after Britain and its allies rallied behind Zelensky in an escalating row over Kyiv’s attacks on Russian oil refineries. “I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal,” he declared, adding “for some reason [Zelensky] never does.” He claimed Ukraine has “lost 30 percent of your country” and that over 2 million people have been killed in a war that should never have started.

The diesel deal seeks to lower US energy costs before next month’s midterm elections, as retail diesel prices have climbed above $6.50 per gallon. Trump argued Russia has lost control of its diesel industry due to Ukrainian drone strikes, with six major refineries damaged. Zelensky described the US-Russia deal as a “gift” to President Vladimir Putin, while overnight Russian airstrikes killed at least 15 people in Zaporizhzhia, including three children.

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“There was no reason that war with Ukraine and Russia started. It started due to incompetence,” Trump said, repeating his claim that the war would never have started if he had been president in 2022. Following the remarks, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga defended Zelensky, saying he has the support of the Ukrainian people. “Statements from abroad only confirm that he is doing his job well,” Sybiga posted on X.

The British government said it would not follow the US and would continue its “toughest sanctions regime ever” on Russia. Under Ukraine’s constitution, elections are prohibited while martial law is in force. An August 2026 poll found 57% of Ukrainians want elections only after the war ends.

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Author: Stella Sunu • Published on Howedey.com

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