Christine Drews Sieger
President Donald Trump called for a new Ukrainian president following clashes over a U.S.-Russia diesel sanctions deal.
President Donald Trump prompted immediate diplomatic reactions outside the White House on Saturday after demanding a leadership change in Kyiv, telling reporters that “it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.”
Trump made the statement right before departing for a campaign rally in Tennessee, citing Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian fuel infrastructure as the reason for his comments.
Trump argued that the strikes destabilize global energy supplies and drive up gas prices for American drivers.
He warned the Ukrainian leader to halt the attacks immediately, adding, “He’d better d— well stop,” according to Fox News.
He also criticized Volodymyr Zelenskyy for dragging out the war, claiming the Ukrainian leader “could have made many deals and, for some reason, he never does,” to end the fighting long ago.
Diesel dispute
Disagreements resurfaced after Zelenskyy publicly criticized a fresh U.S. energy agreement with Moscow.
According to Trump, the U.S. and Russia struck a deal that temporarily halts sanctions on Russian diesel exports through April 7, Fox News reports.
The agreement allows millions of tons of Russian diesel to re-enter global markets.
While the administration aims to lower costs at American pumps, Zelenskyy warns that the deal hands Moscow cash to purchase weapons.
Surging energy prices stemming from the conflict in Iran have pushed the U.S. administration to seek swift measures to curb rising fuel costs.
Trump’s public warning places heavy pressure on Kyiv to negotiate peace.
A shift in US policy toward Moscow
The agreement has also raised questions about Washington’s wider policy toward Moscow.
According to the Associated Press, the deal marks a sharp reversal of US efforts to restrict Russian energy revenues, coming just weeks after Trump signed a sweeping sanctions law targeting Russia.
Zelenskyy called the decision a “weak” move by Ukraine’s partners, arguing that easing restrictions could help Moscow prolong the war.
