Trump Calls for New Ukrainian President, Accuses Zelensky of Rejecting Peace Deals
US President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to elect a new president, accusing Volodymyr Zelensky of repeatedly missing opportunities to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.
Trump made the remarks at the White House on Saturday, arguing that Zelensky’s decisions had prolonged the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“Zelensky could have settled this war many times, and he chose not to. It’s very difficult,” Trump told reporters, adding that the invasion would not have occurred if he had been US president at the time.
The American president’s comments came amid disagreements over Washington’s approach to Russian energy exports and Ukraine’s military operations against Russian infrastructure.
Trump criticised Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries, arguing that the strikes could disrupt global fuel supplies and increase costs for American farmers and ranchers.
“We said you [Zelensky] can do whatever you want to Russia; don’t hurt the refineries because that’s the world’s problem,” he said.
Trump maintained that Ukraine’s targeting of Russian energy infrastructure could have consequences beyond the battlefield, particularly for countries and industries dependent on international fuel supplies.
“And he wants to make problems for the world; he wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers, with diesel fuel because Russia supplies a large portion of the diesel fuel throughout the world,” he added.
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The US president said he had urged Zelensky to avoid strikes on Russian refineries because of their potential impact on international energy markets.
Expressing frustration with the Ukrainian leader’s approach to negotiations, Trump argued that Kyiv needed leadership willing to reach an agreement with Moscow.
“But what does he do? He goes and hits the diesel fuel. Do you know what I suggest? I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he [Zelensky] could have made many deals, but for some reason he never does,” Trump said.
“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.”
Trump’s remarks followed reports of a US agreement with Moscow to temporarily suspend sanctions on Russian diesel exports. Zelensky had warned that arrangements enabling Russian fuel exports could generate additional revenue for Moscow to sustain its military campaign.
Background to the Russia-Ukraine War
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, following years of tensions that escalated after Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014 and fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine.
The war has caused extensive civilian casualties, mass displacement and widespread damage to homes, public facilities and critical infrastructure.
Russian forces continue to occupy parts of Ukrainian territory, while Ukraine maintains its defence with military and financial support from Western partners, including the United States and European countries.
Despite diplomatic initiatives and repeated calls for negotiations, the conflict has yet to produce a lasting peace settlement.
Trump’s latest comments underscore continuing disagreements over the conditions for ending the war, Ukraine’s military strategy and the role of negotiations in securing a settlement.
