Trump made the remarks on Saturday, October 10, 2026, while speaking to reporters at the White House. His comments came a day after he announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to increase Russian diesel supplies to American and international markets amid concerns over rising fuel costs ahead of the US midterm elections.
“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal,” Trump said, arguing that Zelenskyy had opportunities to negotiate an end to the conflict but had failed to reach an agreement.
Trump also criticised Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure, claiming they were contributing to higher diesel prices and creating difficulties for American farmers and ranchers.
He further argued that the war could have been avoided if he had been president when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Trump claimed Ukraine had lost 30 per cent of its territory and that more than two million people had been killed in the conflict. However, his figures were not independently established by the reports accompanying his remarks. Independent assessments have generally placed the proportion of Ukrainian territory under Russian control at around one-fifth, while estimates of total military casualties and civilian deaths vary considerably.
The comments came amid renewed violence in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials reported that Russian strikes killed at least 20 people, including three children, in the Zaporizhzhia region on Saturday. At least 18 others were wounded, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.
The attack intensified criticism from Kyiv over Washington’s decision to ease restrictions affecting Russian diesel exports.
Zelenskyy condemned the arrangement, arguing that allowing more Russian energy products onto international markets could provide Moscow with additional revenue to sustain its military operations. He also accused Russia of interpreting reduced economic pressure as an opportunity to continue attacks on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.
On Friday, Trump announced that Russia had agreed to supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by another 500,000 tonnes in November and one million tonnes shortly afterwards. He also said an additional three million tonnes would be supplied within a relatively short period.
The US Treasury Department subsequently issued General License 135, authorising certain transactions involving the sale, delivery and importation of Russian-origin diesel fuel. The measure represents a change in Washington’s restrictions on Russian energy exports following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Trump has presented the agreement as a way to increase fuel availability and ease price pressures in the United States. However, the decision has raised concerns among Ukrainian officials and other critics who argue that additional energy revenue could help Russia sustain its war effort.
The disagreement also highlights the continuing divide between Washington and Kyiv over how to bring the conflict to an end. While Trump has pressed Zelenskyy to pursue a negotiated settlement, Ukraine has maintained that any peace arrangement must protect its sovereignty and prevent further Russian aggression.
Despite Trump’s call for a new Ukrainian president, the country’s leadership remains a matter for Ukrainian voters. His remarks have nevertheless added another layer of political tension to an already difficult relationship between the two governments.
With fighting continuing and disagreements over sanctions and energy policy growing, the prospects for a negotiated settlement remain uncertain. The latest developments underscore the challenge of balancing international efforts to reduce fuel costs with pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia
Reader Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your perspective on this report.