President Donald Trump has demanded that Volodymyr Zelenskyy halt attacks on Russian oil refineries and suggested that the Ukrainian leader consider stepping aside. Trump claimed that Ukraine needs a new president and criticized Zelenskyy for failing to make a deal with Russia to end the war.
The tension centers on securing more diesel supplies for the United States ahead of the midterm elections, with Trump blaming Zelenskyy for high US diesel prices. Trump suggested that Zelenskyy has not done enough to end the conflict and warned Kyiv against continuing to target Russian oil refineries.
Ukrainian and European officials expressed dismay over Trump's diesel deal with Russia, stating that the arrangement will help fund Putin's war efforts. These developments mark a new low point in White House relations with Kyiv, coming as Russia escalates its bombing of Ukrainian cities.
On Saturday, Trump stated that Zelenskyy wants to make problems for the world, a comment made a day after he praised Russia's Putin.