Donald Trump has called for a new president in Ukraine, blaming Volodymyr Zelenskyy for prolonging the war with Russia, a stunning public demand for leadership change in a country the United States has spent years arming and funding.
The US president made the call on Saturday, October 10, 2026, while speaking to reporters at the White House before departing for Tennessee to campaign for Republican midterm candidates.
“IT’S TIME FOR A NEW PRESIDENT”
Asked whether his newly announced diesel deal with Russia risked prolonging the war, Trump turned his fire on Zelenskyy. “Zelenskyy could have settled this war many, many times, and he chose not to,” Trump said. “I’d suggest they find a new leader who can make a deal, because for some reason he has never been able to.”
Trump then pointed directly at Ukraine’s drone campaign against Russian oil refineries, which he said was driving up diesel prices in the United States.
“I told him: you can do whatever you want to Russia, but do not touch the refineries,” Trump said. “He wants to make trouble for the world. He wants to make trouble for our farmers, our ranchers, for diesel fuel. He’d better stop it.”
The remarks mark the sharpest break in US-Ukraine relations since the televised Oval Office clash in February, and effectively amount to a public call for regime change in Kyiv.
THE DIESEL DEAL THAT TRIGGERED THE FURY
Trump’s outburst followed Friday’s announcement of an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply diesel to the United States and global markets.
Under the deal, Moscow will release over 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, 500,000 tons in November, and 1 million tons thereafter, with further larger volumes promised. The US Treasury issued a temporary licence allowing Russian diesel to reach world markets through April 2027.
Trump framed the agreement as an emergency response to soaring US fuel costs. Since US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered Tehran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, American diesel prices have surged 67 per cent to $6.28 per gallon, while petrol has risen more than 46 per cent.
With the midterm elections less than a month away, energy prices have become the dominant domestic issue.
ZELENSKYY’S RESPONSE: “A WEAK DECISION”
Zelenskyy hit back immediately, calling the diesel deal “a weak decision by strong partners.” The Ukrainian president spoke just hours after a Russian glide-bomb strike on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia killed at least 20 people, including three children, and injured at least 18 others.
“Today Russia thanked the lifting of diesel sanctions by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media. He warned that every dollar Russia earns from diesel exports will be used to “find and import critical components, upgrade Shahed drones, build missiles and recruit more mercenaries.
“RUSSIA HAILS A “HISTORIC” MOMENT
The Kremlin welcomed Trump’s remarks. Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s special economic envoy, wrote on X that Trump’s statement was “historic” and that the US president had “joined the many in the leadership who believe Ukraine needs a real focus on peace, not Zelenskyy’s belligerent rhetoric.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded firmly: “Zelenskyy has the support of the Ukrainian people, and the people have the right to decide. Statements from abroad only confirm he is doing his job. He deserves support.”
EUROPE’S DISQUIET
European allies reacted with disappointment and unease. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he regretted the diesel deal and reaffirmed Sweden’s “commitment to sanctions against Russia.”
UK Prime Minister Burnham expressed “full solidarity” with Zelenskyy in a phone call, acknowledging that “the past 24 hours have been very difficult for Ukraine.”
The diesel agreement effectively splits the Western coalition. The United States, facing domestic fuel pressure, has eased sanctions on Moscow, while European capitals insist sanctions must hold.
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THE MIAMI TALKS AND THE “ENERGY TRUCE” TRAP
Trump’s attack came as Ukrainian and US negotiators met in Miami to discuss a possible “energy truce”, a mutual halt to attacks on energy infrastructure. But Ukrainian officials told the Kyiv Independent they felt cornered. Washington, they said, was pressing Kyiv to stop striking Russian refineries while offering no equivalent demand on Moscow, and simultaneously concluding an economic deal with Russia.
Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is willing to pause strikes on Russian energy infrastructure if Russia agrees to the same terms. Moscow has shown no interest.
MIDTERM POLITICS AND THE BLAME GAME
Trump’s decision to blame Zelenskyy for American diesel prices is politically convenient. An AP-NORC poll found that Americans broadly disapprove of Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict and are more inclined to blame his administration for rising prices.
By shifting responsibility to Kyiv, Trump offers voters an external culprit.Trump also repeated his false claim that “if the election hadn’t been rigged, I would have been president and that war would never have started.”
THE HUMAN COST
For Ukrainians, the consequences are not rhetorical. In Zaporizhzhia, rescue workers pulled bodies from rubble while Trump told reporters in Washington that Zelenskyy “wants to make trouble for the world.”
The three children killed in the strike will not grow up. The diesel price in America will be debated in campaign ads. Both are now part of the same transaction.
ValidViewNetwork reports that Trump’s call for new Ukrainian leadership marks a new low in US-Ukraine relations, with the midterm elections less than a month away.