US President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to elect a new president, intensifying tensions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following a controversial agreement allowing Russia to supply diesel to US and global markets.
Speaking at the White House on Saturday, Trump said it was time for Ukraine to choose a new leader, accusing Zelensky of failing to reach a peace agreement with Russia and blaming Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries for contributing to rising diesel prices.
“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump said, arguing that Zelensky had missed several opportunities to reach a deal with Moscow.
Trump also issued a warning over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries, saying Zelensky “had better damn well stop” the strikes.
The remarks followed Trump’s announcement on Friday that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tonnes of diesel to US and global markets following a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Under the arrangement outlined by Trump, Russia would provide a further 500,000 tonnes in November, followed by one million tonnes shortly afterwards and an additional three million tonnes within a short period, depending on the condition of its refineries.
The initial shipment amounts to approximately 2.25 million barrels of diesel. The agreement marks a shift in US policy towards Russian petroleum products following restrictions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Trump said increasing diesel supplies was a priority as fuel prices in the United States continue to rise. He blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian refining facilities for worsening supply pressures, while energy analysts have questioned whether the announced volumes would significantly reduce prices.
Zelensky condemned the agreement, describing it as a “weak decision on the part of strong partners” and warning that allowing Russia to sell more petroleum products would provide Moscow with additional resources to continue the war.
“Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged,” Zelensky said in a statement published on Friday.
The Ukrainian president also accused Washington of treating Kyiv unfairly, saying his country’s negotiating team was being used while discussions over ending the war continued.
Zelensky has maintained that Ukraine would be prepared to stop attacking Russian oil refineries if Moscow halted its strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, insisting that any cessation of attacks must be reciprocal.
Trump’s demand for a new Ukrainian president has also raised questions over the prospect of elections during wartime. Ukraine has not held a presidential election since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, with elections suspended under martial law.
Responding to the calls for elections, Zelensky said the decision over Ukraine’s leadership belonged to its people. He also said he would be prepared to organise elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire, allowing the necessary arrangements to be made.
The diesel agreement has drawn criticism from Ukrainian officials and US lawmakers, who argue that easing restrictions on Russian petroleum exports could help Moscow finance its war. Energy analysts have also warned that the additional supplies are unlikely to deliver substantial or sustained reductions in fuel prices.
The dispute comes as Washington continues efforts to negotiate an end to the war, with disagreements over sanctions, military operations and the terms of a potential settlement remaining major obstacles.
