On 10 October 2026, US President Donald Trump sharply criticised Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of being unwilling to end the war and of causing problems for the American economy. The US leader stated that Ukraine should elect a new president capable of negotiating a peace deal, and that the current head of state must immediately cease strikes on Russian oil refineries. According to Trump, Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries are driving up diesel prices and harming American farmers. The comments came the day after Washington reached an agreement with Moscow on the supply of Russian diesel, and against the backdrop of fresh large-scale Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities.
- Trump called on Ukraine to change its president.
- He accused Zelenskyy of dragging out the war.
- The US is calling for an end to the attacks on Russian oil refineries.
- Washington has reached an agreement with Moscow on fuel supplies.
Trump said that Ukraine must elect a new president
The US President made some controversial remarks whilst speaking to journalists ahead of his trip to Tennessee. He criticised Vladimir Zelensky on the progress of the peace talks and claimed that the Ukrainian leader had allegedly failed to seize several opportunities to end the war.
«I suggest they choose a new leader who will be able to strike a deal. After all, he could have struck many deals, but for some reason he never does,» said Trump.
The US President also emphasised that, in his view, It is time for Ukraine to change its head of state. However, he did not explain exactly what kind of peace agreement Zelenskyy might have concluded previously, or on what terms.
Trump once again reiterated his claim that Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine would not have started had he been US President in 2022. He also gave his own estimates of Ukraine’s territorial losses, which do not match independent figures.
«He’d better stop immediately»: Trump on strikes against Russian oil refineries
The most contentious part of the speech concerned Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries. Trump stated that he had previously personally warned the Ukrainian leadership about the undesirability of such strikes, as they affect international supplies of diesel fuel.
«We said: you can do whatever you like with Russia, but don’t attack the oil refineries, because that creates a global problem,» the US President emphasised.
According to Trump, Ukrainian attacks are leading to a diesel shortage and rising costs for American farmers, livestock farmers and hauliers. He accused Zelenskyy of creating problems for the global economy and demanded an end to strikes on Russian fuel facilities.
At the same time, the rise in diesel prices is not solely due to damage to Russia’s oil refining infrastructure. The war in the Middle East, disruptions to maritime shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and a reduction in global fuel stocks are all significant factors.
Therefore, Trump’s claim that Ukraine is to blame for high diesel prices is his political assessment, rather than a comprehensive explanation of the situation on the fuel market.
The statements were made following an agreement between Trump and Putin
On 9 October, Donald Trump announced that an agreement with Vladimir Putin regarding the supply of Russian diesel fuel to the US and international markets.
The plan provides for the supply of over 300,000 tonnes in the near future, a further 500,000 tonnes in November, one million tonnes thereafter, and an additional three million tonnes, depending on the production capacity of Russian enterprises.
To facilitate such transactions, the US Department of the Treasury has issued General Licence No. 135, which temporarily permits certain transactions involving Russian diesel. The licence is valid until 7 April 2027. This does not constitute a complete lifting of sanctions against Russia, but rather an exemption for a specific category of petroleum products.
The US administration’s decision has drawn criticism in Ukraine and amongst European partners. The main concern relates to a possible increase in Russia’s revenue from fuel exports, which could be used to finance the war.
Trump’s latest comments came against the backdrop of yet another of Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities. On 10 October, Russian forces launched attacks on Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, where civilians, including children, were killed as a result of an air strike.
Zelenskyy has called on the US and European countries to step up economic pressure on Moscow, emphasising that additional revenue from the export of petroleum products could boost Russia’s capacity to produce missiles and attack drones.
