By Taibat Ummi Yakubu
United States President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelensky with a new leader, accusing him of creating problems for the international community by continuing attacks on Russian oil refineries instead of pursuing a deal to end the war.
Trump made the remarks on Saturday while speaking to reporters as he left the White House, arguing that Ukraine’s strikes on Russian energy facilities were contributing to pressure on global fuel prices at a time when rising costs have become a major concern for American voters ahead of the November midterm elections.
The US president claimed he had previously given Zelensky the freedom to take action against Russia but warned him against targeting oil refineries because of the wider consequences for energy markets. “We said, ‘You can do whatever you want to Russia, don’t hit the refineries’,” Trump said. He added, “He better damn well stop,” before insisting that Ukraine needed “a new leader who can make a deal”.
Trump also accused Zelensky of repeatedly missing opportunities to negotiate an end to the conflict, saying the Ukrainian president had the chance to reach agreements but had failed to do so. His comments highlight the growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv over the conduct of the war and the terms under which a peace agreement could be achieved.
Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine have intensified attacks against each other’s energy infrastructure, transportation facilities and major logistics hubs, further complicating efforts to end the conflict. Trump’s criticism of Ukraine’s strikes comes as his administration seeks to reduce fuel prices in the United States through measures that include temporarily easing restrictions on Russian diesel exports.
The US president confirmed on Friday that an agreement had been reached with Moscow to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7. However, Zelensky criticised the decision, warning that the arrangement could provide Russia with additional revenue to purchase military equipment and sustain its war effort. He also accused Moscow of interpreting the move as an opportunity to continue its attacks rather than work towards peace.
The Ukrainian leader’s concerns followed deadly Russian strikes on Zaporizhzhia. On Saturday, Zelensky held discussions with several international partners, calling for concrete measures to protect lives in Ukraine and strengthen European security. His position reflects Kyiv’s argument that maintaining economic pressure on Moscow remains essential to limiting Russia’s ability to continue the invasion.
European Union foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas also criticised the decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports, warning that the move could provide Moscow with additional funds to finance its military operations. “This is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe won’t,” Kallas said. She added that European foreign ministers intended to approve the bloc’s largest package of sanctions against Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion, signalling continued European opposition to measures that could ease Moscow’s economic burden.
Trump’s decision to pursue relief in Russian diesel exports is closely linked to rising fuel costs in the United States, where petrol and diesel prices have climbed amid the conflict involving Iran, which began in February. The increase has added to the financial pressure on American households and businesses, while higher transportation and energy costs have contributed to broader concerns about inflation.
With the midterm elections approaching, fuel prices have become an important political issue for Trump’s administration, which is under pressure to ease the cost-of-living burden on voters. However, the effort to reduce energy costs has exposed a disagreement between Washington and its European allies over whether relaxing restrictions on Russian exports is justified while the war continues.
Trump’s demand for a new Ukrainian leader, Zelensky’s objections to the diesel agreement and Europe’s plans for further sanctions underscore the divisions among Ukraine’s allies over how to bring the conflict to an end. While Washington is pursuing measures aimed at lowering energy prices and encouraging a negotiated settlement, Kyiv and its European partners remain concerned that easing economic pressure on Moscow could give Russia more resources to continue the war.
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