Trump Calls for New Ukrainian President After Russian Diesel Deal

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that it is time for Ukraine to get a new president, responding to Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s condemnation of a deal that will allow Russia to supply diesel fuel to American and global markets. Trump told reporters outside the White House that Zelenskyy wants to make problems for the world by continuing attacks on Russian oil refineries.

The deal, announced after a phone call between Trump and Vladimir Putin, involves an initial 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and another million tonnes thereafter. Trump stated that further volumes would depend on the condition of Russian refineries. The US Treasury issued a temporary licence suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April.

Zelenskyy called the arrangement a gift to Putin and an investment in a war that must be ended rather than prolonged. He said Ukrainian negotiators meeting US envoys in Miami had been used as a smokescreen. A US official told Axios that Trump decided to proceed after Ukraine ignored multiple requests to stop strikes on Russian diesel refineries, which the administration linked to pressure on US fuel prices. Diesel prices in the United States stood at $6.28 a gallon according to AAA figures cited in reports.

Russia had imposed an export ban on diesel earlier in the year amid domestic shortages and Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries. Putin confirmed Russia was ready to supply oil and petroleum products to US and global markets. Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure have continued for months. Zelenskyy has previously offered to halt such strikes if Russia stopped attacks on Ukrainian power plants.

The announcement came while a Ukrainian delegation was in discussions with Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. European allies backed Zelenskyy’s criticism. Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev described Trump’s comments as historic and said Ukraine needs leadership focused on peace. The temporary sanctions waiver does not lift freezes on other Russian assets held in US banks.

Trump has prioritised lower fuel prices for American farmers, ranchers and truckers ahead of November midterm elections. The deal provides Russia with a revenue stream at a time when its energy infrastructure remains under attack. Ukrainian officials argue that any easing of pressure without reciprocal de-escalation prolongs the conflict. Further Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory, including in Zaporizhzhia, were reported in the days following the announcement.

The episode marks a sharp public break between the Trump administration and the Zelenskyy government over both the conduct of the war and the terms of any potential settlement. Whether the diesel volumes materialise at the stated levels will depend on the operational status of Russian refining capacity and the continuation of Ukrainian strikes.