Trump Calls for New Ukrainian President, Blames Zelenskyy for Failure to End War

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — US President Donald Trump on Saturday called for Ukraine to elect a new president, blaming Volodymyr Zelenskyy for failing to reach a deal to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, as Russian attacks killed at least 20 people in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.

Speaking at the White House, Trump suggested Zelenskyy had failed to pursue an agreement with Moscow, saying it was time for Ukraine to choose a leader capable of reaching a deal.

“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal,” Trump said, adding that, “for some reason (Zelenskyy) never does.”

Trump also argued that the war would not have begun had he been US president in 2022, describing its outbreak as the result of “incompetence.”

He criticized the human and territorial costs of the conflict, claiming that Ukraine had lost 30 percent of its territory and that more than two million people had been killed. Those figures were not independently established in the remarks provided.

“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump said.

The comments came amid mounting tensions between Washington and Kyiv over Trump’s announcement of an agreement to purchase substantial quantities of Russian diesel, a move Ukraine warned could provide Moscow with additional revenue to sustain its military campaign.

Trump Announces Large Russian Diesel Deliveries

Trump announced the agreement on Friday, saying Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by an additional 500,000 tons in November and one million tons “immediately thereafter.”

He also said another three million tons would be delivered “within a short period of time.”

The announcement marked a significant shift in US policy toward Moscow after years of American pressure and sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Trump presented the arrangement as a means of addressing high fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections.

The president had been expected to discuss a suspected case of plague in Russia with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call, according to the supplied report. Instead, he announced the diesel agreement.

Kyiv Condemns US Deal to Buy Russian Diesel

In Kyiv, the announcement drew anger from some Ukrainians, who said the deal prioritized American fuel prices over the human cost of Russia’s invasion.

“Trump has once again shown his true face,” Oleksandr Petrenko, 26, told the Associated Press, criticizing what he viewed as Washington’s focus on fuel costs rather than Russian attacks on Ukrainian homes.

Petrenko also suggested the deal was linked to Trump’s domestic political interests ahead of the midterm elections.

The agreement has added to tensions between Washington and Kyiv at a time when Ukraine is seeking continued military assistance and stronger international pressure on Moscow to end the war.

Ukrainian officials sharply criticized Trump’s diesel agreement, arguing that easing economic pressure on Moscow could strengthen Russia’s capacity to continue the war.

“Today, Russia expressed its thanks for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia,” Zelenskyy wrote on X on Saturday.

He said Moscow interpreted any easing of pressure as permission to continue its military operations and attack Ukrainian cities.

In a subsequent Telegram post, Zelenskyy said Russia’s actions demonstrated that “Russia’s choice is war,” arguing that additional export revenue would help fund weapons components, drone upgrades, missile production, and the recruitment of foreign fighters.

He urged the United States, European countries, and other international partners to take steps to limit Russia’s ability to sustain its military campaign.

Zelenskyy said Kyiv was coordinating measures to counter the additional revenue Moscow could receive from the agreement. He also said he had discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses with French President Emmanuel Macron, warning of an increased risk of further missile attacks in the coming days.

In a separate conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Zelenskyy discussed the latest developments and said Ukraine would receive ammunition in the coming days for its F-16 fighter jets, which are used to intercept Russian Shahed drones.

Russian Strikes Kill at Least 20 in Zaporizhzhia

At least 20 people were killed, including three children, when Russian aerial bombs struck residential buildings in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region on Saturday, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service. At least 18 others were wounded.

Missiles also struck Kyiv during a daytime attack, injuring four people, according to the capital’s mayor, Vitalii Klitschko.

The attacks came as Russia intensified its long-range aerial campaign against Ukraine, targeting cities and energy infrastructure while ground forces remained largely deadlocked along the front line, more than four and a half years after Moscow launched its military operations in Ukraine.

Russian bombardments have killed more than 60 people across Ukraine over the preceding four days, according to the supplied report.