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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
The US President made some controversial remarks whilst speaking to journalists ahead of his trip to Tennessee. He criticised Vladimir Zelensky<\/strong> on the progress of the peace talks and claimed that the Ukrainian leader had allegedly failed to seize several opportunities to end the war.<\/p>\n \u00abI 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,\u00bb said Trump.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The US President also emphasised that, in his view, It is time for Ukraine to change its head of state<\/strong>. However, he did not explain exactly what kind of peace agreement Zelenskyy might have concluded previously, or on what terms.<\/p>\n Trump once again reiterated his claim that Russia\u2019s full-scale war against Ukraine would not have started had he been US President in 2022. He also gave his own estimates of Ukraine\u2019s territorial losses, which do not match independent figures.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>, as they affect international supplies of diesel fuel.<\/p>\n \u00abWe said: you can do whatever you like with Russia, but don\u2019t attack the oil refineries, because that creates a global problem,\u00bb the US President emphasised.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n 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.<\/p>\n At the same time, the rise in diesel prices is not solely due to damage to Russia\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Therefore, Trump\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\u00abHe\u2019d better stop immediately\u00bb: Trump on strikes against Russian oil refineries<\/h2>\n
The statements were made following an agreement between Trump and Putin<\/h2>\n