WASHINGTON, October 10, 2026 — US President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of failing to secure a peace agreement with Russia. The remarks came amid growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv over a US decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, Trump said Ukraine needed a leader willing to negotiate an end to the war.
“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal,” Trump said, adding that he believed it was time for Ukraine to have a new president. He also criticised Kyiv’s attacks on Russian oil refineries, arguing that the strikes were worsening global fuel supply problems and contributing to higher diesel prices in the United States.
Trump’s comments followed an announcement on Friday that he had reached an arrangement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to allow Russian diesel supplies to enter US and international markets. The move represents a shift in Washington’s sanctions policy toward Moscow, which has faced restrictions over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Under the announced arrangement, Russia is expected to deliver more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel initially, followed by another 500,000 tonnes in November. Trump also outlined plans for further shipments. The US Treasury Department issued a temporary authorisation allowing the exports, with the measure set to remain in effect until April 7, 2027.
Zelenskyy has strongly criticised the decision, warning that additional Russian energy revenue could help Moscow finance its military campaign, manufacture weapons and acquire military equipment.
Following Russian strikes in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region on Saturday, Zelenskyy argued that easing sanctions sends the wrong message to the Kremlin. He said Russia could interpret the move as an indication that it can continue attacking Ukrainian cities while still benefiting from energy exports. Ukrainian officials reported that the strikes killed at least 20 people.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha defended Zelenskyy after Trump’s remarks, saying the Ukrainian president retained the support of his people and that Ukraine’s leadership should be determined by Ukrainians themselves.
Trump has repeatedly urged Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, linking them to fuel-market pressures in the United States. His latest comments underline the widening disagreement between the two governments over how to end the war and whether easing economic pressure on Moscow could help achieve that goal.
The dispute has also raised concerns among Ukraine’s European partners, who have maintained that sanctions are an important means of limiting Russia’s ability to sustain its military operations. Zelenskyy has argued that any easing of restrictions should be tied to reciprocal steps by Moscow to reduce hostilities rather than allowing Russian energy exports to resume without corresponding concessions.
