Trump says Ukraine needs new president after diesel deal row
Donald Trump says it is time for Ukraine to get a new president after Volodymyr Zelensky condemned a US-Russia diesel sanctions deal.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Donald Trump suggests Ukraine needs a new president amid ongoing tensions.
- Zelensky condemns the US deal suspending Russian diesel sanctions as a gift to Putin.
- The US reaches an agreement with Moscow to pause diesel sanctions until April 7.
- Russia plans to release an initial 300,000 tonnes of diesel to global markets.
Political tensions between the United States and Ukraine escalated further after Donald Trump remarked that it is time for Ukraine to get a new president. Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, the US leader criticized the ongoing resistance against Russian infrastructure.
The remarks came in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fiercely condemning a new agreement between Washington and Moscow. The deal pauses sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7. Zelensky argued that the agreement provides Vladimir Putin with a financial lifeline to continue his military campaign, labeling it a direct gift to the Russian leader following deadly glide bomb strikes on Zaporizhzhia that killed at least 15 people.
Defending the agreement, Trump claimed that Zelensky wants to make problems for the world by continuously authorizing strikes on Russian oil refineries. The US administration has faced severe political fallout over soaring domestic fuel prices driven by the conflict with Iran, which effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz and sparked widespread inflation across the country ahead of the midterm elections.
"He could have made many deals and for some reason, he never does."
Donald Trump
Under the terms of the suspension, Moscow will release an initial 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the American and global marketplace, followed by another 500,000 tonnes in November. Over the past 10 months, Russian refineries have suffered severe fuel shortages and an estimated 30% drop in diesel production due to relentless Ukrainian drone strikes, according to the International Energy Agency.
This diplomatic friction highlights the heavy political pressure Washington faces to lower domestic fuel costs before the upcoming midterm elections. While the White House is prioritizing economic relief for American consumers grappling with inflation, the temporary sanctions relief granted to Moscow exposes deep strategic rifts with European allies and Kyiv, who argue that easing economic pressure on Russia undermines long-term security efforts.
Meanwhile, international diplomatic efforts continue as UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke with Zelensky to offer complete solidarity. European foreign ministers are reportedly scheduled to approve the largest package of sanctions against Russia since the full-scale invasion began.
Source: BBC World
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