US President Donald Trump on Saturday called for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to be replaced by a new leader “capable of reaching a deal” to end the war with Russia, while sharply criticizing Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, which he said had contributed to rising diesel prices ahead of the US midterm elections.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he had previously told Zelensky that he could “do whatever he wants” in confronting Russia but “not hit the oil refineries.”
“He’d better stop. I would suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal,” Trump said, according to Reuters and Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Video | #Trump Calls for #Ukraine to Elect a New President Capable of Reaching Agreements https://t.co/gDdBjJJQVW
— Al-Manar English (@manarenglish) October 10, 2026
Russia’s chief negotiator, Kirill Dmitriev, welcomed Trump’s call for Zelensky’s replacement, describing the remarks as “pivotal and historic.”
Dmitriev, the Kremlin’s special envoy for economic cooperation, wrote on X: “President Trump joins many who see that Ukraine needs leadership that is genuinely focused on peace, not Zelensky’s war policy. … These are pivotal and historic statements.”
President Trump joins the many who believe that Ukraine needs leadership actually focused on peace, not Zelensky’s warmongering: “It’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.” Iconic and historic. 🕊️
— Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) October 10, 2026
Trump’s remarks came a day after he announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply global markets with large quantities of Russian diesel in exchange for easing sanctions on Moscow. The move was aimed at lowering fuel prices, which have risen since late February, following the start of US and Israeli military strikes on Iran.
On Friday, Trump said diesel prices would fall “by record numbers and quickly,” adding in remarks to reporters: “I want to thank President Putin, to be honest with you,” according to AFP.
Zelensky: Moscow ‘Thanks’ Washington by Bombing Ukraine
Zelensky accused Russia of responding to the US-Russian agreement by intensifying its attacks on Ukrainian cities, arguing that sanctions relief would provide Moscow with additional resources to continue the war.
In a post on X on Saturday, the Ukrainian president wrote: “Today, Russia expressed its gratitude for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia.”
Today, Russia expressed its thanks for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia. As of now, sadly, twelve people have been confirmed killed, including three children. My condolences to all their families and loved ones. Another fourteen people have been injured, and two of them are in critical condition – the doctors are fighting to save their lives. The status of twelve more people who may have been there is still being verified. All emergency services are at the scene, and search-and-rescue operations are underway. Overnight, thirteen of our regions came under attack. Residential buildings, infrastructure, and railway facilities have been damaged. Last night confirmed once again that in Russia, they take any easing of pressure to mean they can keep fighting, to mean they can keep dropping bombs on cities. Different signals are needed. Russia must understand that it needs to stop the war, and for that to happen, Russia must feel its losses. Right now, it is our long-range capabilities that are ensuring this. And we will respond to Russian strikes. I thank everyone who is helping.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 10, 2026
On Friday, Zelensky had described the diesel agreement as “unworthy of our partners,” calling it a “weak decision.”
Source: Agencies (edited by Al-Manar)