Trump calls for new Ukrainian president after Zelensky criticises Russian diesel deal
In short
Donald Trump said on October 10 that Ukraine needed a new president after Volodymyr Zelensky criticised a US-Russian diesel supply deal, Chosun Ilbo reported. Zelensky said allowing Russian petroleum sales would help prolong the war.
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US President Donald Trump said on October 10 that Ukraine needed a new president after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised his agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin on diesel supplies, Chosun Ilbo reported. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump accused Zelensky of choosing not to end the war and said Ukraine should have a leader who could reach an agreement. [ 6 ]
Zelensky had criticised the diesel deal on October 9, saying that allowing Russia to sell petroleum products amounted to investing in a war that should be ended. Yonhap reported that he called the agreement unfair and dishonest in an Axios interview and likened it to a birthday gift for Putin. He also said a US delegation had not mentioned the prospect of a diesel deal during recent discussions on ending the war. [ 1 ]
Dong-A Ilbo reported that Zelensky called for stronger sanctions and pressure on Russia. Describing a meeting with a bipartisan US congressional delegation in Kyiv, he said Ukraine needed sanctions under Lindsey Graham's bill, support to protect Ukrainian lives and pressure on Russia's war activities. [ 4 ]
The reports differ on when Trump first announced the diesel agreement. Newsis dates the announcement to October 8, while Yonhap, CBS NoCut News, Dong-A Ilbo and Chosun Ilbo place it on October 9. Chosun Ilbo said the US Treasury subsequently announced a temporary easing of sanctions on Russian diesel sales. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
After the agreement was announced, a UK government spokesperson said Britain would continue working with international partners to provide the military and financial support Ukraine needed to defend itself, according to Yonhap's account of Reuters reporting. The spokesperson also said Britain would maintain pressure on Russia through its sanctions regime. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
Zelensky called for stronger sanctions and pressure on Russia. The UK said it would continue military and financial support for Ukraine and maintain sanctions pressure.
Key facts
- Chosun Ilbo reported that Trump said Ukraine needed a new president on October 10. [ 6 ]
- Zelensky criticised the US-Russian diesel supply agreement. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- Zelensky said allowing Russian petroleum sales would prolong the war. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- The UK said it would continue supporting Ukraine and pressuring Russia. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The reports differ on the date of Trump's initial diesel agreement announcement. Newsis gives October 8; Yonhap, CBS NoCut News, Dong-A Ilbo and Chosun Ilbo place it on October 9.