After criticizing the diesel agreement with Putin, Trump calls for choosing a replacement for Zelensky

Today, Saturday (October 10, 2026), US President Donald Trump called for the selection of a new leadership in Ukraine. Trump criticized his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, and demanded that he stop targeting Russian oil refineries.

“He better stop that,” Trump told reporters at the White House, one day after he announced that he had reached an agreement that would allow Russia to supply diesel to global markets.

Referring to Zelensky, Trump said, “I suggest they choose a new leader who can make a deal.”

Trump announced the agreement following a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, and stipulates that Moscow will release large quantities of diesel on the American and global markets in exchange for easing some of the sanctions imposed on it.

The Ukrainian president considered that the Russian strikes on his country on Saturday, which resulted in 16 deaths, were Moscow's way of "thanking" Washington for the diesel agreement announced by Trump.

"This is certainly not fair, and it is certainly shameful on the part of our partners, and in my opinion, it is a weak decision," Zelensky told reporters.

"Funding its war on Ukraine"

Kyiv relies on American support in negotiations to end the war. The West imposed sanctions, including restrictions on Russian energy imports, after Moscow launched an all-out war on Ukraine in February 2022.

The European Union strongly criticized the diesel supply agreement, warning that easing sanctions would give Moscow additional revenues to finance its war against Ukraine.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaya Kallas warned that lifting sanctions on Russian diesel would contribute to financing Moscow's war on Ukraine.

“Russian strikes killed more than 80 Ukrainian civilians within two days,” Callas wrote on social media. “In addition, Russia has intensified its multi-media attacks against Europe, targeting European Union member states and NATO allies.”

She added, "Suspending sanctions on Russian diesel provides Moscow with more revenue to finance its war. This is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe will not do that."

"Imposing new sanctions"

Following the announcement of the diesel agreement, Germany announced that it was continuing to work with European Union countries to impose “new sanctions” on Russia.

In a written statement to Agence France-Presse, German government spokesman Stefan Cornelius said that Germany, as a major military ally of Kiev, would be satisfied with “taking note” of the American decision.

He pointed out that "support for Ukraine in its struggle in self-defense remains steadfast, while at the same time diplomatic efforts to reach a peaceful solution continue."

Cornelius added that Berlin's position, "as well as its European partners, is clear that the German government will adhere to its sanctions imposed on Russia and work, in cooperation with its partners in Europe, to impose new sanctions."