President Donald Trump called for Ukraine to replace its leader on Saturday as he defended a new agreement suspending US sanctions on Russian diesel exports, drawing sharp criticism from Kyiv and its allies.
Trump's comments came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the diesel deal. Zelensky warned that releasing millions of tonnes of Russian fuel into global markets would provide Moscow with revenue to continue its war and called the arrangement "a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin."
Trump responded by saying Zelensky "wants to make problems for the world" by authorizing strikes on Russian refineries. He told reporters outside the White House that Ukraine should "get a new leader who can make a deal" and accused Zelensky of squandering opportunities for negotiation.
The Trump administration confirmed Friday that it reached an agreement with Moscow to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7. Under the deal, Russia would release 300,000 tonnes of diesel initially, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and an additional million tonnes, with a further 3 million tonnes to follow "within a short period of time" depending on refinery conditions.
Trump framed the deal as necessary to lower fuel prices. The average US diesel price stands at $6.28 per gallon, up from $3.68 last year, a political liability ahead of midterm elections.
Zelensky rejected this rationale. Speaking to allies on Saturday, he said the deal would allow Russia to "keep fighting, to keep dropping bombs on cities" and called for "real decisions to protect lives in Ukraine."
Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia's 2022 invasion, meaning elections remain suspended. Trump previously called for new Ukrainian elections last December.
European leaders also opposed the deal. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, in a conversation with Zelensky, offered "complete solidarity" and both leaders agreed Russia should declare an "immediate energy ceasefire." EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said suspending sanctions "provides Moscow with more revenues to wage war." European foreign ministers plan to approve additional Russia sanctions on Monday.
Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev called Trump's intervention "iconic and historic," saying Ukraine "needs leadership actually focused on peace."