WASHINGTON- US President Donald Trump has said Ukraine should choose a new president, criticising Volodymyr Zelenskyy over Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries and accusing him of failing to end the war.
“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Saturday. He said the strikes were disrupting global diesel supplies and harming American farmers and ranchers.
Trump’s remarks followed his announcement of a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports to the United States.
Zelenskyy criticised the move, saying it could provide Moscow with revenue to continue its war against Ukraine.
The exchange has escalated tensions between Washington and Kyiv, which have also disagreed over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
Trump said he had urged Zelenskyy to stop targeting refineries, while Kyiv has defended the strikes as part of its response to Russia’s attacks.
Zelenskyy responds to Trump’s call
Zelenskyy said the choice of Ukraine’s leader belongs to Ukrainians. On Sunday, he told ABC News he would organise elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire.
“Give us two months, 60 days of total ceasefire, and we will organise elections,” he said, according to Reuters.
Zelenskyy also said Ukraine was ready to stop striking Russian oil refineries if Moscow halted its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
He said any pause would need to apply to both sides.
Ukraine has faced repeated Russian attacks on cities and energy facilities since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Zelenskyy has argued that easing pressure on Moscow would encourage it to continue the war.
Trump’s comments come amid efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict and as rising fuel prices put pressure on his administration.
The US president has blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for contributing to higher diesel costs, while Zelenskyy has pointed to the wider effects of the war and criticised the decision to ease restrictions on Russian fuel.
