'Time for Ukraine to get new president,' says Trump after Zelensky condemns diesel deal
President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that Ukraine needs a new leader, blaming Volodymyr Zelenskyy for high US diesel prices. The friction follows a deal to release Russian diesel into the US, which Zelenskyy condemned by claiming the sales would help Moscow fund its war. Trump further warned Zelenskyy to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries. While Zelenskyy expressed support for a proposed energy ceasefire, he reported that Russia continues to strike Ukrainian power plants and energy facilities.
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- ✓ President Trump stated on Saturday that it is time for Ukraine to get a new president.
- ✓ Trump blamed Volodymyr Zelenskyy for US diesel prices.
- ✓ Zelenskyy condemned a deal to release Russian diesel into the US, stating it would help Moscow fund the war.
- ✓ Trump told Zelenskyy he better damn well stop attacks on Russian oil refineries.
What changed
President Trump explicitly called for the replacement of Volodymyr Zelenskyy following the Ukrainian leader's criticism of the Russia diesel deal.
Live updates
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Trump calls for new Ukrainian president following diesel deal dispute
President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that Ukraine needs a new leader, blaming Volodymyr Zelenskyy for high US diesel prices. The friction follows a deal to release Russian diesel into the US, which Zelenskyy condemned by claiming the sales would help Moscow fund its war. Trump further warned Zelenskyy to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries. While Zelenskyy expressed support for a proposed energy ceasefire, he reported that Russia continues to strike Ukrainian power plants and energy facilities.
Why it matters
The dispute centers on a fuel agreement between the US and Russia intended to lower domestic energy costs. This tension coincides with US warnings to Kyiv that strikes on Russian territory could jeopardize intelligence-sharing.
What is confirmed
- President Trump stated on Saturday that it is time for Ukraine to get a new president.
- Trump blamed Volodymyr Zelenskyy for US diesel prices.
- Zelenskyy condemned a deal to release Russian diesel into the US, stating it would help Moscow fund the war.
- Trump told Zelenskyy he better damn well stop attacks on Russian oil refineries.
Still unconfirmed
- The US warned Kyiv that strikes on Russia jeopardize intelligence-sharing.
- Republicans have called for Trump to reverse course on the Russia diesel deal.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that contacts are ongoing regarding an energy ceasefire.
What to watch next
- Confirmation from the Kremlin regarding the energy ceasefire agreement
- Official US response to Republican senators calling for the diesel deal reversal
- Evidence of changes in US intelligence-sharing with Kyiv
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (29)
- www.nytimes.com — The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos
- AP News — Trump says Ukraine should get a new president as he blames Zelenskyy for US diesel prices
- Axios — Trump tells Ukraine to replace Zelensky over Russia fuel deal
- www.theguardian.com — Ukraine hit by deadly Russian strikes as ‘thanks’ for Trump ...
- BBC — 'Time for Ukraine to get new president,' says Trump after Zelensky condemns diesel deal
- Politico — Trump says Zelenskyy ‘better damn well stop' attacks on Russian oil refineries, calls for new Ukrainian leader
- The Hill — Trump rips Zelensky amid Russia diesel deal feud: ‘I suggest they get a new leader’
- Al Jazeera — Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera
- Financial Times — US warns Kyiv that strikes on Russia jeopardise intelligence-sharing
- The Guardian — Ukraine hit by deadly Russian strikes as ‘thanks’ for Trump diesel deal, Zelenskyy says
- nypost.com — Trump rips into Volodymyr Zelensky — insisting it’s time for Ukraine to ‘get a new president’
- www.yahoo.com — Zelensky backs Trump's 'energy ceasefire' but says Russia continues to hit power plants
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