It's time for Ukraine to have a new president. Tension is rising between Washington and Kiev, with Donald Trump dumping Volodymyr Zelensky and calling for a change in Ukrainian leadership. The US president's words came after Zelensky's reaction to the US-Russia agreement on diesel and the failure to stop Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries. Zelensky "could have put an end to this war on many occasions, he wants to create problems for the world and for farmers, the time has come for Ukraine to have a new president", the tycoon said in front of the White House, before leaving for an election rally in Tennessee. Trump also touched on other topics: from the attack on Riyadh, to the execution of Nidal Hasan, to the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Navi Pillay, to the mid-term elections.
Trump against Zelensky
Before leaving for Tennessee, speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump reiterated: "I suggest that Ukraine find a new leader who can reach an agreement." Then he added: Zelensky "can do what he wants, but he cannot hit the refineries." According to several sources, Trump would demand that Ukraine unilaterally stop attacks on Russian facilities. The US leader, in fact, is convinced that these attacks are increasing energy prices in the United States: a theme which, in the last weeks of the electoral campaign in view of the mid-terms, is crucial for the tycoon also because the polls do not seem to be smiling on the Republicans. Regarding the mid-term elections, however, Trump has assured that he will accept the outcome whichever party wins. As long as there is no fraud. “Of course I will,” he responded to a reporter's question before leaving for Tennessee. "But we don't want fraud. We don't want fraud. Do you understand me?", he added.
See also
Trump-Putin agreement on diesel. Stop US sanctions on Russian diesel
The agreement between Trump and Putin and Zelensky's reaction
Trump's words came after strong criticism from Kiev and Brussels of the diesel agreement between the US president and Vladimir Putin in exchange for an end to sanctions. The agreement, which marks a reversal by Washington in relations with Moscow, arrived yesterday during a phone call between Trump and Putin, "which lasted an hour and a half", described as "very intense and friendly". A move branded by Kiev as a "green light" for the escalation of Russian missiles and drones in Ukraine. In Washington they didn't like the criticism. But Zelensky, after accusing the US of showing its weakness, took it further by denouncing: "Russia expressed its thanks for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by launching five guided bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia." The toll is 20 dead and 18 injured, including children (UPDATES ON THE WAR).
See also
Trump-Putin agreement on diesel, what could change for Italy?
Kiev and Burnham's response to Trump
After Trump's statements on Zelensky, Kiev's reaction was immediate. "President Zelensky leads our nation in a time of war, a war for independence, freedom and dignity. He has the support of the Ukrainian people, and the people have the right to decide. Statements from abroad only confirm that he is doing his job well. He deserves support," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has assured Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky of "full solidarity" after he opposed the Russian diesel deal brokered by Donald Trump. In a phone call between the two leaders, Burnham told Zelensky he recognized that "the last 24 hours have been difficult for Ukraine."
Dmitriev: Trump "iconic and historic"
The reaction of Kirill Dmitriev, Russian presidential envoy and negotiator, was of an opposite tone. “President Trump joins those who believe that Ukraine needs truly peace-oriented leadership, rather than Zelensky's bellicose attitude: 'It's time for Ukraine to have a new president.' Iconic and historic,” he wrote on X. In another post, Dmitriev declared that “'diesel diplomacy' exposed Zelensky.” In a subsequent message, the Russian envoy published a Time cover from 2025 with a photo of the Ukrainian president and the words "The Endgame."
The Dems against Trump on Russian diesel
Meanwhile, in Washington the Dems have promised to fight against Trump's decision to suspend sanctions on Russia on diesel. “Congress has banned Russian energy imports in 2022. The president cannot simply ignore that law to buy diesel from Putin,” warned Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. "The law requires congressional consultation and a formal review process. The administration appears to have circumvented both," he stressed.
See also
Vera Politkovskaya: Anna's legacy and questions about the present
