Trump says Ukraine should choose a new president
In short
Donald Trump said on October 10 that Ukraine should choose a new president able to reach a deal. He accused Volodymyr Zelensky of passing up opportunities to end the conflict with Russia and criticised Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries.
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US President Donald Trump said on October 10 that Ukraine should choose a new president who could reach a deal to end the conflict with Russia. Speaking to journalists in Washington, he said Volodymyr Zelensky had been given many opportunities to end the war but had not used them, Interfax reported. Kommersant and Meduza also reported Trump's call for a new Ukrainian leader capable of making agreements. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
Trump also criticised Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries. According to Meduza, he said Washington had told Zelensky that attacks on refineries were a global problem and should stop. Vedomosti reported that the American president had demanded that Kyiv halt such strikes. Kommersant likewise reported his criticism of refinery attacks and his assertion that the United States had repeatedly asked Ukraine to stop them. [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]
The remarks came after Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on October 9 to supplies of Russian diesel fuel to American and global markets. Vedomosti reported that the Kremlin said their conversation also covered the conflict in Ukraine, Iran and bilateral relations. Meduza reported that the US Treasury subsequently issued a temporary licence allowing Russian diesel supplies to the global market despite US sanctions until April 7, 2027. [ 5 , 6 ]
Ukraine criticised the diesel agreement. Vedomosti reported that Zelensky said such arrangements could run counter to Kyiv's interests. Meduza reported that he described permission for Russia to sell petroleum products as an investment in war. Both outlets also covered talks between Ukrainian delegates and Trump's representatives in Miami, with reports of US demands to end refinery attacks and possible consequences for intelligence sharing. [ 5 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The remarks followed a US-Russian agreement on supplies of Russian diesel fuel to American and global markets. The reports also describe Ukrainian objections to that agreement and US demands to halt refinery attacks.
Key facts
- Trump told journalists on October 10 that Ukraine needed a new president capable of making a deal. [ 6 , 7 ]
- Trump accused Zelensky of failing to use opportunities to end the conflict with Russia. [ 4 , 5 , 7 ]
- Trump said Washington had asked Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries. [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Trump and Vladimir Putin agreed on October 9 to supplies of Russian diesel fuel to American and global markets. [ 5 , 6 ]
- Meduza reported that Zelensky described allowing Russian petroleum-product sales as an investment in war. [ 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Reports described possible restrictions on US intelligence sharing if Ukraine continued refinery attacks. Vedomosti attributed this to Financial Times sources; Meduza attributed it to Axios. These documents provide no direct US announcement.