Trump bluntly declares, “It’s time for Ukraine to get a new president” ... Russia and Ukraine react in starkly different ways

[Financial News] U.S. President Donald Trump bluntly declared that “it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” targeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, prompting sharply contrasting reactions from Ukraine and Russia.
According to foreign media reports on the 10th (local time), Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded that day on X (formerly Twitter): “President Zelenskyy is leading the country during a war for independence, freedom and dignity, and has the support of the Ukrainian people.”
“The Ukrainian people have the right to decide,” Sybiha said, dismissing the remarks: “Statements from abroad only confirm that President Zelenskyy is doing his job well.” He also mentioned that Zelenskyy had held a series of meetings with foreign ministers from major European countries, including UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, and stressed that “our partners’ support remains unwavering.”
Russia, by contrast, strongly defended Trump’s remarks. Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for foreign investment and economic cooperation, wrote on X that “President Trump has joined the many people who believe Ukraine needs a leader focused on real peace, not Zelenskyy’s warmongering conduct,” describing the remarks as “symbolic and historic.” He also posted an image combining a photo of Zelenskyy with the word “Endgame” on the cover of TIME magazine.
Trump’s remarks came shortly after Zelenskyy criticized the so-called U.S.-Russia “diesel export deal” announced the previous day. Speaking to reporters at the White House that day, Trump said, “President Zelenskyy could have ended the war several times but didn’t,” adding, “I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.” Trump had earlier said on social media that he had agreed with Putin for Russia to supply a total of 4.8 million tons of diesel to the U.S. and global markets.
Meanwhile, the Russian government partially lifted its ban on diesel exports that day under the agreement between the two leaders. Russia said, “Oil companies will immediately begin supplying contracted diesel to foreign markets in coordination with the government.” In connection with this, Russia’s TASS news agency reported, citing sources, that Trump’s special envoy Steven Charles Witkoff and Jared Kushner could visit Moscow, Russia, within two weeks.

[email protected] Kim Dong-gyu Reporter