Trump tells Zelenskyy, who opposed the ‘diesel deal’: ‘Ukraine must change presidents ... it needs someone who can end the war through a deal with Russia’

[Financial News]  

U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 10th (local time) that Ukraine should put forward a new president in place of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He stressed that a new person should become president—someone who could end the war through negotiations with Russia.
He floated the idea of a ‘new face’ after President Zelenskyy objected to his agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin the previous day, made in a phone call, to resume Russian diesel exports.
According to Axios, Zelenskyy pushed back, saying the diesel deal between the United States and Russia was a sign of the most serious crisis between the U.S. and Ukrainian presidents since Trump’s fury at him was broadcast live at the White House last February.
Trump said he had agreed with President Putin in a call the previous day to lift sanctions and allow Russia to export diesel to the U.S. and global energy markets. He said Russia would export a total of 4.8 million tonnes of diesel, including at least 300,000 tonnes immediately.
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) later announced a measure temporarily easing sanctions on sales of Russian diesel.
Zelenskyy told Axios he was appalled that the agreement had been reached behind Ukraine’s back, arguing, “This is neither fair nor honest.” He added that it was a ‘birthday present’ for Putin, who turned 74 the day before, and a ‘sign of weakness’ from Trump.
According to Axios, a U.S. administration official said the United States had asked six times for attacks on Russian refineries to stop, but Zelenskyy ignored the requests, after which the president reached a diesel deal with Russia.
Trump strongly criticized Zelenskyy. He accused him of having been able to reach an agreement with Russia several times but having “chosen not to do so.”
Speaking to reporters on the 10th, he said, “I suggest they elect a new leader who can make a deal,” adding, “I think it’s time for Ukraine to have a new president.”
Trump said he had asked Zelenskyy to stop attacks on Russian refining facilities and claimed Zelenskyy’s actions were harming American farmers. He then issued what amounted to a veiled threat, saying, “It would be best to stop right away.”
The surge in diesel prices, which is eroding support among farmers—a key constituency—ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, was driven by two main factors.
First, Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refining facilities halted Russia’s diesel exports, sending prices soaring. Then the suspension of diesel exports by oil-producing countries in the Gulf, caused by the Iran war Trump himself launched on February 28, worsened the situation and pushed diesel prices even higher.   

[email protected] Song Gyeong-jae Reporter