By George Omagbemi
WASHINGTON — October 11, 2026. United States President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of failing to reach a peace agreement with Russia amid rising diesel prices.
Trump made the remarks on Saturday, October 10, a day after announcing an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to facilitate Russian diesel supplies to the United States and international markets.
“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump told reporters, arguing that Zelenskyy had missed opportunities to negotiate an end to the war.
Trump also blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries for contributing to diesel supply pressures, saying the situation was affecting American farmers and ranchers.
Under the announced arrangement, Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel, followed by another 500,000 tonnes in November and one million tonnes thereafter, according to the Associated Press.
The announcement marks a shift in Washington’s approach to restrictions on Russian energy exports imposed following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Zelenskyy criticised the deal, warning that easing pressure on Moscow could encourage further attacks against Ukraine. His comments followed a Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia that Ukrainian authorities said killed 20 people, including three children.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, defended Zelenskyy, saying the country’s leadership should be decided by its own citizens.
The disagreement adds to tensions between Washington and Kyiv as diplomatic efforts to end the war continue. The impact of the diesel arrangement on fuel prices remains uncertain.
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