US President Donald Trump has called for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to be replaced, accusing him of obstructing efforts to reach a peace deal with Russia.
Trump made the remarks on Saturday, October 10, outside the White House while responding to Zelensky’s criticism of a US agreement to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports.
Zelensky had warned that the deal would provide Moscow with additional revenue to procure military equipment and sustain its war against Ukraine. He described the arrangement as a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Reacting angrily, Trump accused Zelensky of creating problems for the international community by continuing to authorise attacks on Russian oil refineries.
“He’d better damn well stop,” Trump said, adding that Ukraine needed “a new leader who can make a deal.”
Trump claimed that Washington had urged Ukraine to avoid striking Russian refineries, warning that such attacks could create wider global problems. He also accused Zelensky of repeatedly missing opportunities to negotiate an agreement with Moscow.
On Friday, Trump confirmed an agreement with Russia to suspend sanctions on its diesel exports until April 7, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Kyiv.
Zelensky argued that easing the restrictions would enable Russia to raise funds for additional military equipment and prolong its invasion. He also warned that Moscow could interpret the agreement as a signal that it could continue its military campaign and bombard Ukrainian cities.
His comments followed deadly Russian strikes on Zaporizhzhia, amid an intensification of attacks by both countries on energy infrastructure, transport facilities and major logistics hubs.
