Trump demands Ukraine get new president, lashes out at Zelensky

US President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of rejecting multiple opportunities to end the war with Russia.

“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Saturday.

“Zelensky could have settled this war many times, many many times, and he chooses not to,” Trump said.

The US president suggested that Ukrainians should choose a new leader capable of negotiating an agreement to end the war.

“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal, because he could have made many deals that, for some reason, he never does,” Trump said.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago, in February 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly rejected proposals for an unconditional ceasefire, while US-led diplomatic initiatives have also failed to produce a breakthrough.

Trump also accused Zelensky of contributing to global diesel shortages by ordering strikes on Russian oil refineries.

The accusations came a day after Trump announced an agreement with Putin for Russia to supply hundreds of thousands of tonnes of diesel to help ease global fuel shortages.

Washington plans to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel to allow the deliveries to proceed.

The Kremlin confirmed the agreement, which drew swift criticism from Zelensky.

“He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers, with diesel fuel because Russia supplies a large portion of the diesel fuel throughout the world,” Trump said.

The US president said he had warned Zelensky against targeting Russian refineries because of the impact on global fuel supplies.

“Do what you want. Don’t hit refineries. There’s plenty of targets. Don’t hit refineries,” Trump said, recounting his warning to the Ukrainian leader.

He demanded that the attacks cease, saying: “He better damn well stop.”

Crude oil and diesel prices surged following the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran in late February.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian energy infrastructure as part of its efforts to weaken Moscow’s ability to finance and sustain its war.