US President Donald Trump said that it is time to elect a new president for Ukraine, considering that Zelensky did not take advantage of the available opportunities to end the war with Russia. He also accused him of contributing to the diesel supply crisis through attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
Speaking at the White House yesterday, Saturday (October 10), Trump said: “I suggest that they choose a new leader who can reach an agreement,” adding: “For some reason, Zelensky never does that.”
Addressing Zelensky, Trump added: “You have lost 30% of your country’s territory, you have more than a million people moving between the two sides, and more than two million people have been killed. This is a war that should never have started in the first place. I believe it is time for Ukraine to have a new president.”
On the other hand, Zelensky criticized an agreement between the United States and Russia to lift sanctions on the sale of Russian diesel, considering that allowing Moscow to increase its oil revenues represents support for the war.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sepha confirmed that President Volodymyr Zelensky has the support of the Ukrainian people, stressing that “Ukrainians alone” have the right to make decisions about their political leadership. He said that Zelensky is leading the country in a war that it is waging in defense of independence, freedom and dignity, considering that the statements issued from abroad confirm that he is performing his duties correctly, and that he deserves support.
Germany renews its support for Kiev
A day after Trump called for the election of a new president for Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Johann Vadevol renewed, on Sunday, his country's support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine, calling at the same time for intensifying pressure on Russia to push it toward resuming peace talks.
During a meeting of the leaders of the Christian Democratic Party led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Vadevol said that Germany will continue to stand by Ukraine and its government, stressing that Berlin supports Zelensky “fully” in light of the difficult tasks he undertakes during the war.
He also stressed the need to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to push him to engage in negotiations, stressing that Europe needs stability, which requires continuing to support the Ukrainian government and its president in facing the current challenges.
Vadivul added that the need for negotiations does not mean easing pressure on Moscow, noting that Russian forces continued to bomb Ukraine and more civilian casualties occurred, despite the diplomatic efforts made to reach a settlement.
Sharp German criticism of Trump
In a more severe stance, German Education Minister Karin Breen attacked Trump's statements, describing them as reflecting "moral bankruptcy." Her comment came in response to the US President's demand to elect a new president for Ukraine, linking this to the ongoing dispute over sanctions imposed on the Russian energy sector and Russian diesel exports.
Brin wrote yesterday evening, Saturday, on the X platform, commenting on an article that addressed Trump’s statements: “For a few liters of diesel. What moral bankruptcy.”
The German position reflects the continued disagreement between Berlin and Washington regarding dealing with the Ukrainian leadership and the course of the war with Russia.
