US President Donald Trump stated that he believes "it's time for Ukraine to get a new president" in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's criticism of a US diesel deal with Russia. Zelensky warned that the deal, which would allow millions of tonnes of Russian diesel into the US, would provide funding for Russia's ongoing military efforts in Ukraine, calling it a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, Trump claimed that Zelensky "wants to make problems for the world" by continuing to authorize attacks on Russian refineries, urging him to stop. Trump suggested that Ukraine should seek a new leader capable of negotiating a deal.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the country has been under martial law, which has suspended elections. The ongoing conflict has severely impacted global fuel supplies, including diesel, particularly due to the war against Iran, which has affected the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil products.
Trump continued, stating, "We said, 'you can do whatever you want to Russia, don't hit the refineries', because that's a world problem that's caused." He criticized Zelensky for not making deals with Russia, implying that better leadership could have led to more favorable outcomes.
Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy for Putin, described Trump's remarks as "iconic and historic," suggesting that Ukraine requires leadership focused on peace. On Friday, Trump confirmed an agreement with Moscow to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7. Zelensky responded by asserting that this would enable Russia to generate funds for military equipment, allowing them to continue their attacks.
Following recent strikes on Zaporizhzhia, Zelensky spoke with allies to discuss measures to protect lives in Ukraine and European security. A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that he expressed solidarity with Zelensky and emphasized the need for an immediate energy ceasefire from Russia.
EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas criticized the US-Russia diesel deal, aligning with Zelensky's view that it would provide Moscow with additional revenues to fund its war efforts. Kallas indicated that European foreign ministers plan to approve significant sanctions against Russia in response to the ongoing conflict.
The deal is part of Trump's strategy to lower fuel prices in the US ahead of the midterm elections, as rising diesel prices have negatively impacted his approval ratings. Currently, the average price of diesel is $6.28 per gallon, an increase from $5.94 last month and $3.68 last year.
Under the terms of the deal, Russia is set to release an initial 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the global market, followed by an additional 500,000 tonnes in November. Trump mentioned that a total of 4 million tonnes could be delivered, contingent on the condition of Russian diesel refineries. In the last 10 months, Russia has faced significant fuel shortages due to Ukrainian drone strikes on its oil infrastructure, with diesel production reportedly dropping by 30%, according to the International Energy Agency. Trump had previously called for new elections in Ukraine in December 2022, advocating for the option for voters to replace Zelensky.