US President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, criticising Kyiv’s attacks on Russian oil refineries amid a dispute over Washington’s decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports.
Trump made the remarks at the White House on Saturday, a day after announcing a diesel supply deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Zelenskiy said could encourage Moscow to continue its war against Ukraine.
“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump told reporters, accusing Zelenskiy of disrupting global diesel supplies through strikes on Russian refineries.
Trump also urged Ukraine to stop attacking Russian energy facilities, saying the strikes were affecting fuel supplies to farmers and ranchers.
Zelenskiy had earlier criticised the US decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports, linking the move to a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia that killed 20 people, including three children, according to the report.
“Last night provided yet more confirmation that Russia perceives any easing of pressure as a signal that it can supposedly keep fighting,” Zelenskiy said, calling for stronger measures against Moscow.
READ ALSO: Russian Attack Kills 20 in Ukraine as Trump Lifts Diesel Sanctions
The Russian government announced on Saturday that it had partially lifted a ban on diesel exports.
The agreement has also drawn criticism from some US lawmakers, including Republican Representative Don Bacon, who argued that Washington should impose additional sanctions recently approved by Congress rather than ease existing restrictions.
Analysts, meanwhile, said the deal was unlikely to produce a sustained reduction in fuel prices, noting that Russia’s export volumes remained below normal levels because of attacks on its refineries.
The dispute comes as the United States, Ukraine and European officials continue efforts to develop a common proposal to end the war, which has lasted four and a half years.
Ukrainian and European officials held talks with US negotiators in Miami on Friday. Zelenskiy said Trump’s announcement of the diesel deal had taken Kyiv by surprise.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said after speaking with Trump on Friday that an immediate resumption of peace talks was unlikely, citing Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow.
Russian state news agency TASS reported on Saturday that US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner could visit Moscow within the next two weeks.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke with Zelenskiy on Saturday and pledged to strengthen Britain’s sanctions against Russia, according to a Downing Street spokesperson. The two leaders are expected to meet in person in the coming days.
