Trump Says Ukraine Should Get a New President, Announces Russian Diesel Deal with Putin

US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House in Washington that it is time for Ukraine to get a new president. The remark came as Russia's war against Ukraine continues and as Trump announced a new fuel agreement with Moscow, which Ukrainian leaders and several European governments have criticised.

Trump on Zelensky

"I recommend they get a new leader who is able to make a deal," Trump said, adding that, in his view, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disagrees with ending the war for some reason. Trump said that had he been president in 2022, the war would not have started, and claimed it began because of incompetence. He also asserted that Zelensky has lost 30% of Ukraine, and said he had told Ukraine not to attack oil refineries: "He had better calm down."

The diesel agreement

Following a Friday phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said on social media that Russia would immediately deliver more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to American and global markets, a further 500,000 tonnes in November and 100,000 tonnes right after. Washington plans to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel, and the Kremlin confirmed the deal. Trump faces domestic political pressure over rising fuel prices, with US midterm elections due next month. The announcement runs counter to a sanctions law he signed last month.

Reaction from Ukraine and Europe

Zelensky said Russia expressed its gratitude for the sanctions relief by dropping five guided bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia. He said every extra billion dollars from exports helps Russia pay for weapons and mercenaries, and urged the US and Europe to limit Russia's ability to wage war. He has spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron about air defence and with Finnish President Alexander Stubb; Ukraine will receive ammunition for F-16 fighters in the coming days.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he regretted the deal, and the German government stressed its commitment to sanctions. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski doubted Russia could deliver what it promised. The European Union is due on Monday to adopt its most comprehensive sanctions package yet.

On Friday in Miami, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner met Ukrainian officials to discuss a proposal to end the war.