Trump lashes out over Zelensky’s criticism, sparking uproar with call to replace Ukraine’s leader [Trump-Putin ‘Diesel Deal’]

With next month’s midterm elections approaching, US President Donald Trump has joined forces with Russia to rein in domestic diesel prices, drawing a wave of criticism at home and abroad. Trump has said Ukraine needs a “new president,” targeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who criticized the agreement, and is reportedly even considering suspending intelligence support.
According to the BBC and other foreign media, Trump attacked Zelensky while speaking to reporters at the White House on the 10th (local time). “Zelensky could have ended this war several times, but he chose not to,” he said. He went on to claim, “We told Zelensky, ‘Do whatever you want regarding Russia. But don’t attack Russian refineries, because that causes problems around the world.’” Trump stressed, “But he wants to cause problems for the world, and he wants to cause problems for our farmers and ranchers.”
With the November midterm elections approaching, Trump has been stepping up efforts to secure diesel supplies as a recent surge in US diesel prices has unsettled voters. He has claimed that the Iran war he started has nothing to do with diesel prices, and that Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries drove prices up. On the 9th, Trump said on the social media platform Truth Social that he was temporarily lifting economic sanctions on Russia and that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to supply diesel to the US and international markets. In response, Zelensky told the US outlet Axios that the agreement “looks like a birthday present to Putin.”
At the White House on the 10th, Trump said, “Do you know what I’m proposing to Ukraine? That it get a new leader who can reach a [peace] deal.” He claimed, “Ukraine has lost 30% of its territory, and more than 1 million people have lost their lives. That war should never have started, and I think it’s time for Ukraine to have a new president.”
According to the British Financial Times (FT) that same day, a US delegation including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff demanded during a meeting with Ukrainian officials in Miami on the 9th that they stop attacking Russian refineries. The US side warned that it would stop sharing critical intelligence if the attacks on the refineries did not stop.
On the day of Trump’s remarks, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X that “Zelensky has the support of the Ukrainian people.”
Europe reaffirmed its solidarity with Ukraine. On the 10th, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stressed, “Now is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe will not do so.” The same day, the British Prime Minister’s Office said Prime Minister Andy Burnham had spoken with Zelensky and “made clear that the UK would continue to strengthen sanctions against Russia.”
Voices of opposition were heard across party lines in the United States. On the 9th, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) wrote on X, “Trump is making a deal with the devil to save his imperiled political fortunes.” Democratic Representative Madeleine Dean (Pennsylvania) also criticized Trump on X, writing, “Trump is funding Russia’s war machine while our allies pay the price.”
On the 10th, Republican Senator Dan Sullivan (Alaska) said in a statement, “The answer to high oil prices lies in securing US energy dominance,” and argued that Alaska’s energy production should be expanded instead of importing Russian energy. Republican Representative Don Bacon (Nebraska) said the agreement was “a serious mistake by the president.” Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania) also said he would introduce legislation to block purchases of Russian oil and force a vote in the House.
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