'Get a new president': Trump attacks Zelenskyy over Russian oil deal

Trump criticised Zelenskyy for Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries. He said Zelenskyy had disobeyed orders to stop those strikes. Trump argued that attacks on refineries could worsen global fuel shortages, especially during the US-Israeli war on Iran. The dispute followed Trump’s agreement with Putin to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports.

Trump then said Ukraine should “get a new president.” He claimed Zelenskyy could have made several deals but had failed to do so. The statement challenged Zelenskyy’s authority while Russia continued striking Ukrainian cities. Zelenskyy had called Trump’s diesel decision a “weak decision.”

The reaction was immediate. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed complete solidarity with Zelenskyy and said Britain would strengthen sanctions on Russia. Ukraine’s foreign minister also said Zelenskyy had the support of the Ukrainian people, who had the right to decide their leader.

Economic sanctions are government restrictions placed on a country, company, or person. They can limit trade, financial dealings, or exports. Their purpose is to impose costs and pressure a government without direct military action. In this case, the restrictions concern Russian diesel, a fuel made from crude oil.

Trump said he had agreed with Putin to let Moscow release large amounts of diesel onto global markets. That gives Russia more freedom to sell an important export. It can also provide the Kremlin with additional revenue. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said lifting the sanctions would help fund Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The decision has divided the countries supporting Ukraine. Zelenskyy called it weak, while Kallas said Europe would not ease pressure on Russia. The immediate effect is greater access for Russian diesel sellers. The wider effect depends on how much fuel enters markets and how buyers respond.

The attacks described in the article killed at least 21 people. The largest reported attack struck Zaporizhzhia, where a Russian glide bomb killed 20 people, including three children. A separate Russian drone attack in the Dnipropetrovsk region killed an 11-year-old boy. The opening figure therefore includes at least four children.

The attacks also caused destruction beyond the death toll. Rescuers pulled people from collapsed buildings in Zaporizhzhia. Russian strikes caused widespread power cuts in Kyiv, and the city’s mayor reported that a restaurant had been hit. Russia’s defence ministry said it had struck a military data centre.

The territorial scale is also substantial. The article states that Russia occupies roughly one-fifth of Ukraine. Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The continuing attacks and stalled diplomatic efforts show that the war remains active despite renewed attempts to negotiate.

Allowing more Russian diesel onto world markets could have several consequences. Russia would gain more opportunity to sell fuel and earn export revenue. That is why Kaja Kallas said lifting sanctions would help fuel the Kremlin’s war. It would also reduce one form of economic pressure while fighting continues.

For fuel buyers, extra supply could ease shortages and lower prices if enough diesel reaches the market. Trump connected the decision to soaring US fuel prices and concerns about global shortages. However, the article does not give a precise price forecast. Market effects would depend on the volume released and how buyers respond.

For Ukraine, the decision could feel especially damaging. Russia continued bombardments that killed civilians as the deal was announced. Zelenskyy said the timing linked sanctions relief with Russian attacks. The dispute shows the tension between seeking cheaper fuel and maintaining pressure for an end to the war.

Ukraine targets Russian oil refineries because refineries turn crude oil into usable fuels, including diesel. Damaging them can disrupt Russia’s ability to produce and distribute fuel. That can affect military operations, transport, and exports. The article does not describe each Ukrainian target, but Trump specifically referred to attacks on Russian refineries.

The mechanism is straightforward. If a refinery stops operating, less processed fuel may be available from that facility. Russia could then need to move fuel from elsewhere or export less. Ukraine’s attacks therefore seek to create pressure inside Russia, while Moscow’s strikes continue against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

The effects can spread internationally because fuel is sold across borders. A smaller supply can contribute to shortages or higher prices in other markets, especially when demand is already strong. Trump said the refinery strikes risked worsening global fuel shortages. The article gives no exact estimate of the resulting price change.

In Ukraine’s constitutional system, the president is chosen by Ukrainian voters through presidential elections. That authority belongs to the country’s citizens, not to a foreign leader. The source directly reflects this principle through Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, who said Zelenskyy had the people’s support and that Ukrainians had the right to decide.

Trump nevertheless said Ukraine should “get a new president” after criticising Zelenskyy’s policies. His statement was political pressure, not a legal appointment or removal. Trump could express a view or influence diplomacy, but he could not personally select Ukraine’s president. The article does not describe any Ukrainian election or legal removal process.

Ukrainian sovereignty means Ukraine has the right to govern itself and choose its leaders. That principle is central to the dispute. Trump was pressing for a different wartime and negotiating approach, while Ukrainian officials defended their country’s authority to decide its leadership.

An oil refinery converts crude oil into useful products. It first heats crude so its different components can be separated. Further processing changes those components into fuels such as diesel, petrol, and jet fuel. The article focuses on diesel because Trump’s agreement would allow Russia to release large amounts of it onto global markets.

Control of fuel matters in war because military vehicles, supply trucks, aircraft, and generators need energy to operate. Refineries therefore support both domestic economies and military logistics. Attacking them can reduce available fuel, while protecting or reopening them can preserve operations. The article does not provide technical details about particular refinery systems.

Fuel also connects wars to the wider economy. Diesel powers transport and supports the movement of goods, so shortages can affect prices and supply chains. Trump cited soaring US fuel prices and global shortages when defending his decision. The dispute shows how energy policy can influence warfare, diplomacy, and household costs at once.