Former U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Ukraine needed a new leader after Kyiv’s top official criticized a renewed diesel‑export deal with Russia that could aid Moscow’s war effort.
Speaking to the media as he departed the White House on Saturday, Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “wants to make problems for the world” by continuing to authorise attacks on Russian refineries. He urged the Ukrainian head of state to stop and to appoint a new president who could negotiate a better deal.
The dispute follows rumors that a new agreement would release millions of tonnes of Russian diesel into the U.S., a move that Kyiv argues would give Moscow extra money to purchase new military equipment. Zelensky accused Russia of using the easing of sanctions “to keep fighting” and cited a recent missile strike on Zaporizhzhia as evidence of Moscow’s continued aggression.
European Commissioner for the Environment, Kaja Kallas, echoed the criticism, warning that suspending fuel sanctions would give Russia “more revenues to wage war” and that Europe would not be easing pressure. She highlighted that European foreign ministers plan to approve a new, larger package of sanctions on Russia on Monday.
Trump confirmed an accord with Moscow would suspend sanctions on Russian diesel until 7 April. The deal is part of Trump's effort to lower U.S. fuel prices, a key issue ahead of the 2026 mid‑term elections. High gasoline and diesel prices, driven in part by the war’s impact on global supply, have sparked domestic inflation and pressured the American public.
