Trump Urges New Ukrainian Leadership as He Clashes With Zelensky Over U.S.-Russia Diesel Deal

President Donald Trump on Saturday, October 10, rebuked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amid a disagreement between the two leaders over a newly reached energy pact between the United States and Russia, and he suggested that Ukraine should install different leadership. At the White House, Trump told reporters he was frustrated with Zelensky after Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries that Washington had asked Kyiv to stop. "You know what I suggest? I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason, he never does," Trump said. The open rift came after Trump's Friday announcement of a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to provide global energy markets with Russian diesel fuel, aiming to lower domestic fuel costs before the coming U.S. midterm elections. U.S. officials said continued Ukrainian strikes on Russian refinery infrastructure played a role in Trump's choice to negotiate the arrangement directly with Moscow. Zelensky sharply condemned the agreement, calling it a reversal for peace efforts that turns Russia's military campaign into a financial matter. "Investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged," Zelensky said, labeling the step "a weak decision of strong partners." According to terms Trump posted on social media, Putin agreed in a phone call to supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel to global markets immediately, with another 500,000 tons set for November delivery. The total of 800,000 tons, or about six million barrels, equals roughly one and a half days of overall U.S. diesel use, based on U.S. Energy Information Administration figures. Trump said further shipments of millions of tons of Russian diesel would depend on the operating status of Russian refineries. When reporters asked whether loosening restrictions on Russian energy exports could extend the armed conflict, Trump blamed the Ukrainian administration for the ongoing fighting. "Zelensky could’ve settled this war many times … and he chooses not to," Trump said, adding that the Ukrainian leader "wants to make problems for the world." Former U.S. officials and market analysts were doubtful about the deal's effect, noting that Russian diesel output has been badly strained by recent Ukrainian strikes. Kyiv said it hit five Russian refineries in the week before the announcement. Energy analysts also said the amounts involved represent only a small change in worldwide supplies. "We are talking perhaps a 5%-6% increase in supply between now and year end," said Dan Pickering, founder and chief investment officer at Pickering Energy Partners. "Bottom line — this is helpful but not a needle mover for global diesel markets. Side note — there is a reason Trump talked about volumes in tons instead of barrels. The tons number looks bigger to a general observer. This is more politics than a game changer." Russia had earlier imposed a formal ban on domestic diesel exports in early July after broad fuel shortages tied to Ukrainian drone attacks, pulling about 800,000 barrels per day out of global circulation. After the bilateral talks, Kremlin readouts confirmed Putin's readiness to restart energy shipments to international markets. "I am confident that this will have a positive impact on the entire global economy," Putin said, according to the official Kremlin summary.