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US President Donald Trump has said Ukraine needs a new president who can make a deal to end the war with Russia, escalating a public clash with Volodymyr Zelensky after Washington moved to ease sanctions on Russian diesel.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Saturday, Trump accused Zelensky of ignoring his repeated requests to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries, which he said were driving up global fuel prices ahead of next month’s US midterm elections.
“He better damn well stop,” Trump said of the strikes.
“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal, because he could have made many deals that, for some reason, he never does,” Trump said.
“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.”
.@POTUS: We told Zelensky, ‘You can do whatever you want to Russia, but don’t hit the refineries because that’s a world problem.’ And what does he do? He goes and hits the diesel fuel. He better damn well stop. pic.twitter.com/CdRlMcPlKr
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 10, 2026
Trump’s remarks came a day after he announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to allow Moscow to release large amounts of diesel onto global markets.
The US Treasury subsequently issued a temporary suspension of sanctions on Russian diesel sales until April 7, 2027.
The deal covers at least 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, with total supplies of 4.8 million tonnes.
Zelensky had criticised the move as a “weak decision” and a “gift to Putin,” saying it would allow Russia to finance its war effort .
“Today, Russia expressed its thanks for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia,” Zelensky wrote on X, referring to a deadly attack on the southeastern Ukrainian city that killed at least 20 people, including three children.
Today, Russia expressed its thanks for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia. As of now, sadly, twelve people have been confirmed killed, including three children. My condolences to all their families and loved ones. Another fourteen people have been injured, and two of them are in critical condition – the doctors are fighting to save their lives. The status of twelve more people who may have been there is still being verified. All emergency services are at the scene, and search-and-rescue operations are underway. Overnight, thirteen of our regions came under attack. Residential buildings, infrastructure, and railway facilities have been damaged.
Last night confirmed once again that in Russia, they take any easing of pressure to mean they can keep fighting, to mean they can keep dropping bombs on cities. Different signals are needed. Russia must understand that it needs to stop the war, and for that to happen, Russia must feel its losses. Right now, it is our long-range capabilities that are ensuring this. And we will respond to Russian strikes. I thank everyone who is helping.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 10, 2026
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga backed Zelensky, saying on X that the president “has the support of the Ukrainian people, and they have the right to decide” .
“Statements coming from abroad only confirm that he is doing his job well. He deserves to be supported,” Sybiga said .
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham reiterated his “complete solidarity” with Zelensky in a phone call, while Downing Street said the UK would “strengthen its sanctions on Russia”.
The Kremlin welcomed Trump’s remarks. Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s special envoy for international economic cooperation, described them as “pivotal and historic,” saying Trump had “joined many who believe that Ukraine needs leadership truly committed to peace, not the warmongering policies of Zelensky.”
