Trump Says Ukraine Needs New President After Zelensky Criticizes US-Russia Diesel Deal
US President Donald Trump stated that it is time for Ukraine to get a new president following criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding a US-Russia diesel deal. Zelensky warned that the agreement, which suspends sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7, provides Moscow with funds to continue the war. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas also criticized the move, while Trump defended the pact as an effort to lower domestic fuel prices.
NewsRadar AI DeskPublished Oct 12, 2026, 2:03 AM UTCUpdated Oct 12, 2026, 2:03 AM UTC · 0 updates
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US President Donald Trump said it is time for Ukraine to get a new president after Volodymyr Zelensky criticized a US-Russia diesel deal.
Zelensky warned the deal allows Moscow to raise funds for the war, calling it a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump confirmed an agreement was reached with Moscow to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7.
EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas echoed Zelensky's criticism, stating the suspension provides Moscow with more revenues.
A Russian glide bomb attack on Zaporizhzhia killed at least 15 people.
What happened
US President Donald Trump stated that he believes it is time for Ukraine to get a new president in response to criticism from Volodymyr Zelensky regarding a US diesel deal with Russia. Trump asserted that the Ukrainian president wants to make problems for the world by continuing to authorize attacks on Russian refineries, adding that Zelensky had better stop.
The dispute centers on an agreement confirmed by Trump on Friday to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7. Under the deal, Russia would initially release 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the marketplace, followed by subsequent shipments.
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Who said what
Volodymyr Zelensky warned that the new deal to release millions of tonnes of Russian diesel into the US provides Moscow with money to continue its war in Ukraine, describing it as a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky also accused Moscow of interpreting the deal as license to keep dropping bombs on cities following deadly new strikes on Zaporizhzhia.
Donald Trump defended the arrangement, stating that Ukraine could have made many deals and argued that attacks on Russian refineries create world problems. European Union foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas echoed Zelensky's criticism, stating that suspending sanctions provides Moscow with more revenues to wage war and that Europe will not ease pressure on Russia.
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Context
The agreement with Russia is part of an effort by Trump to lower fuel prices in the US ahead of midterm elections, following high fuel costs driven by the conflict in Iran that began in February. According to the AAA, the average price of diesel stands at $6.28 a gallon, up from $5.94 last month and $3.68 last year.
In the past ten months, Russia experienced severe fuel shortages due to Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries, leading to an estimated 30 percent drop in diesel production according to the International Energy Agency.
What happens next
European foreign ministers intend to approve a major set of sanctions on Russia, described by Kaja Kallas as the biggest since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Under the diesel agreement timeline, initial shipments of 300,000 tonnes are set to be followed by an additional 500,000 tonnes in November, with further deliveries contingent on the condition of Russian diesel refineries.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Why it matters
The dispute highlights growing friction between Washington and Kyiv over economic measures involving Russia, as the US seeks to lower domestic fuel prices while European and Ukrainian leaders warn that easing sanctions helps fund ongoing military operations.
What we know
US President Donald Trump stated that it is time for Ukraine to get a new president.
Volodymyr Zelensky criticized a US diesel deal with Russia.
Donald Trump confirmed an agreement was reached with Moscow to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7.
EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas criticized the suspension of sanctions.
A Russian glide bomb attack on Zaporizhzhia killed at least 15 people.
What remains unclear
Whether the US-Russia diesel deal will successfully lower domestic US fuel prices as intended.
The exact timeline and volume of future Russian diesel shipments beyond the initial phased releases.
How the story developed
Trump suggests Ukraine needs new president amid diesel deal dispute
US President Donald Trump stated it is time for Ukraine to get a new president following Volodymyr Zelensky's criticism of a US diesel deal with Russia.
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Trump Says Ukraine Needs New President Over US-Russia Diesel Deal
