Trump Says Ukraine Should Elect a New President
Trump Urges Leadership Change in Ukraine Amid War and Fuel Dispute
Kabarsaji.com – US President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to choose a new president, arguing that Volodymyr Zelenskyy has failed to secure an end to Russia’s war against the country.
Speaking at the White House on Saturday, Trump said Ukraine needed a leader capable of reaching a peace agreement with Moscow. His comments added fresh strain to relations with Kyiv at a moment when Russia’s invasion, energy markets, and US domestic politics are all shaping the debate around the conflict.
I suggest they get a new leader who can make a [peace] deal.
Trump said Zelenskyy “never does” make such a deal, and asserted that Ukraine had suffered severe territorial and human losses during the conflict. He claimed that Ukraine had lost 30% of its territory and referred to more than two million deaths.
Those figures differ from independent assessments. Estimates generally place the amount of Ukrainian territory held by Russia at about 20%. British defense officials have recently said roughly half a million Russian soldiers had been killed, while reliable up-to-date figures for Ukrainian military and civilian deaths remain unavailable.
Pressure over attacks on Russian oil facilities
The president also warned Kyiv against striking Russian oil refineries. Ukrainian drone operations against Russian energy infrastructure have become a major point of contention as Trump seeks to address rising fuel costs in the United States.
Trump said he had told Zelenskyy that Ukraine could act against Russia as it wished, but drew a line at refinery strikes.
Do what you want … but don’t hit refineries.
He then issued a sharper warning: “He better damn well stop.”
Russia’s energy sector is central to its ability to generate export revenue, and attacks on oil infrastructure can affect refining capacity and fuel supplies. The dispute has taken on added political significance in the United States, where higher fuel prices have become a concern ahead of November’s midterm elections. Those elections will determine control of power during the final two years of Trump’s presidency.
Trump has repeatedly blamed Ukraine for pressure on fuel prices, saying Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities contribute to the problem. On Friday, he accused Zelenskyy of creating wider economic difficulties for Americans, including agricultural producers dependent on diesel fuel.
He wants to make problems for the world. He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers, with diesel fuel.
Diesel agreement draws condemnation from Kyiv
The criticism followed a new agreement between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to lift US sanctions on Russian diesel exports. The arrangement could provide Moscow with additional revenue while allowing Russian diesel to return more freely to global markets.
Putin launched Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Russia had already illegally occupied Crimea since 2014, making the war the latest and largest stage of a conflict that has reshaped European security and displaced millions of Ukrainians.
For Kyiv, the diesel agreement has intensified fears that economic concessions to Moscow may weaken pressure on Russia while the fighting continues. Ukraine and its allies were still reacting to the announcement when Trump expanded his criticism of Zelenskyy and called for a replacement.
Moscow welcomed Trump’s remarks. Kremlin special economic envoy Kirill Dimitriev wrote on X that Trump had joined those who believe Ukraine needs leadership focused on peace rather than what he described as Zelenskyy’s warmongering.
Russian strikes underline the continuing war
Trump’s call came only hours after Russian attacks killed 20 people in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region on Saturday. The deaths highlighted the immediate human consequences of the conflict even as diplomatic and economic arguments continued among the countries involved.
Zelenskyy responded on X by linking the easing of sanctions on Russian diesel exports to the attacks in Zaporizhzhia.
Today, Russia expressed its thanks for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia.
The exchange underscores the opposing views over how to pursue peace. Trump has argued that Ukraine should accept a leadership change and prioritize a negotiated settlement. Zelenskyy and Ukrainian officials have consistently faced the challenge of seeking international support while resisting Russian military pressure and defending the country’s sovereignty.
Any change in Ukraine’s leadership would carry major implications beyond its borders. The country remains dependent on military, financial, and diplomatic backing from its partners, while Russia retains control over occupied Ukrainian land. At the same time, the question of energy sanctions has become intertwined with the conflict, affecting both Moscow’s finances and fuel prices for consumers abroad.
As the war continues, the dispute over refineries, diesel exports, and Ukraine’s political leadership is likely to remain part of a broader struggle over whether pressure on Russia should be strengthened, eased, or redirected toward negotiations.
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