Rebuking Ukraine Over Oil Strikes, Trump Says It Should ‘Get a New President’

On October 10, 2026, President Donald Trump called for Ukraine to 'get a new president,' criticizing Volodymyr Zelenskyy for failing to reach a peace deal with Russia and for continued strikes on Russian oil refineries. The comments followed a controversial White House announcement that the U.S. would temporarily waive sanctions to allow the import of millions of tonnes of Russian diesel. Trump argued these imports are necessary to lower domestic fuel prices, which have spiked due to a separate U.S.-Israel war against Iran. President Zelenskyy and European allies criticized the deal, arguing it provides Moscow with funds to prolong its invasion, while Ukrainian officials defended Zelenskyy's leadership, noting that national elections are currently suspended under martial law.

On October 10, 2026, President Donald Trump called for Ukraine to 'get a new president,' criticizing Volodymyr Zelenskyy for failing to reach a peace deal with Russia and for continued strikes on Russian oil refineries. The comments followed a controversial White House announcement that the U.S. would temporarily waive sanctions to allow the import of millions of tonnes of Russian diesel. Trump argued these imports are necessary to lower domestic fuel prices, which have spiked due to a separate U.S.-Israel war against Iran. President Zelenskyy and European allies criticized the deal, arguing it provides Moscow with funds to prolong its invasion, while Ukrainian officials defended Zelenskyy's leadership, noting that national elections are currently suspended under martial law.