Trump Calls For New Ukrainian President As He Turns On Zelensky And Strikes Controversial Deal With Putin
Trump Challenges Zelensky's Leadership As Washington And Kyiv Clash Over The Future Of Ukraine
Trump Says Ukraine Needs A New President As Furious Row With Zelensky Threatens Peace Talks
The US president's call for different leadership comes amid a dispute over Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, Washington's decision to ease diesel sanctions on Moscow and a fresh wave of deadly Russian strikes.
Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to have a new president, escalating his confrontation with Volodymyr Zelensky as relations between Washington and Kyiv deteriorate over the war with Russia.
The American president's intervention on Saturday, 10 October 2026, came as he accused Ukraine of contributing to soaring fuel prices by attacking Russian oil refineries.
Trump's criticism followed his announcement of a diesel agreement with Vladimir Putin, under which Washington would temporarily relax restrictions on Russian fuel exports to increase global supplies.
Zelensky, meanwhile, has condemned the agreement, arguing that renewed energy revenue will strengthen Russia's ability to finance its invasion.
The confrontation raises a serious diplomatic question: can the United States continue negotiating a peace settlement with Zelensky's government while its president publicly calls for different Ukrainian leadership?
Trump Says Ukraine Needs A New President
Trump's comments mark a shift from criticising Ukrainian military decisions to openly questioning the country's leadership.
He said Ukraine needed a new president and demanded that Zelensky stop attacking Russian refineries, arguing that the strikes were worsening fuel shortages and increasing costs for American consumers.
Trump's position reflects growing frustration within his administration over Ukraine's campaign against Russia's energy industry.
The strikes have damaged Russian refining capacity and disrupted supplies of petroleum products. They have also complicated Washington's attempts to lower global energy prices during its confrontation with Iran.
The White House regards cheaper fuel as an important economic priority.
Ukraine, however, considers Russia's energy infrastructure a legitimate military-economic target because petroleum revenues help sustain Moscow's war effort.
Trump's suggestion that Ukraine should replace its president introduces a separate political issue. A foreign leader can criticise another government's policies, but Ukraine's leadership is ultimately determined through its own constitutional and electoral processes.
There is no verified announcement of a formal American policy to remove Zelensky from office or evidence that a Ukrainian presidential election has been scheduled in response to Trump's comments.
His remarks nevertheless place additional pressure on a government that depends heavily on American military technology, intelligence and diplomatic support.
Why Trump Is Furious About Ukrainian Oil Attacks
The immediate dispute concerns Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries.
Throughout the war, Kyiv has increasingly targeted facilities that process Russian crude oil into diesel, petrol and other petroleum products.
The military objective is to damage infrastructure that supports Russia's economy and armed forces.
Refineries are expensive to repair, and repeated attacks can force operators to suspend production, divert resources and alter supply arrangements.
Ukraine sees these operations as a way to impose costs on Russia without relying exclusively on ground offensives along the heavily defended front line.
Washington has taken a different position.
An American official familiar with the administration's discussions said Zelensky had ignored approximately six requests to stop striking Russian refineries.
According to the official's account, Trump believed those operations were contributing to higher American fuel prices.
The administration wanted Kyiv to suspend the attacks even without an equivalent Russian commitment to stop bombing Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Zelensky had offered a reciprocal arrangement: Ukraine would halt attacks on Russian refineries if Moscow stopped striking Ukrainian power plants.
That distinction is central to the disagreement.
For Washington, a unilateral suspension could ease pressure on fuel markets.
For Kyiv, stopping its own attacks while Russian missiles continue damaging Ukrainian electricity supplies would mean surrendering economic leverage without securing comparable protection.
The full effect of Ukraine's strikes on American pump prices is difficult to isolate. Global fuel costs are also influenced by crude production, refining capacity, transport disruption and conflict in the Middle East.
Trump has nonetheless made the refinery campaign a central complaint against Zelensky.
Trump Makes Diesel Agreement With Putin
On Friday, 9 October, Trump announced an agreement with Putin intended to release additional Russian diesel onto international markets.
The arrangement included an initial supply of more than 300,000 metric tonnes, with further shipments envisaged.
Washington temporarily eased restrictions on Russian diesel exports that had formed part of its economic pressure campaign against Moscow.
Trump presented the decision as a practical response to high fuel prices.
American diesel costs have risen sharply amid disruptions linked to the conflict involving Iran and problems in global energy supply chains.
Expanding available diesel supplies could offer some price relief, although the eventual effect will depend on how much additional fuel actually reaches the market.
The political consequences are more immediate.
Russia's oil and petroleum industry provides substantial export revenue. Easing restrictions potentially allows Moscow to earn additional income while its military continues attacking Ukraine.
That prospect has alarmed Kyiv and several European governments.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson criticised the decision, emphasising the importance of energy revenue to Russia's military financing.
The agreement also represents a notable reversal in Washington's sanctions policy.
In September, Trump signed legislation intended to increase economic restrictions on Russia's energy sector. The diesel arrangement creates an exception to that broader pressure campaign.
It remains uncertain whether the agreement will produce meaningful progress towards peace.
Putin did not commit to restarting negotiations with Ukraine during his latest conversation with Trump, according to Kremlin foreign-policy adviser Yuri Ushakov.
Zelensky Condemns The Deal As Russia Attacks Ukrainian Cities
The timing of the agreement has intensified the confrontation.
On Saturday, Russian aerial attacks killed at least 20 people in Zaporizhzhia, including three children, according to Ukrainian emergency officials.
At least 18 other people were injured when guided bombs struck residential buildings.
The attack followed several days of heavy Russian bombardment, including deadly strikes in Kramatorsk and Pryluky.
Kyiv was also hit by missiles and drones, leaving civilians injured and disrupting electricity supplies.
Zelensky linked the renewed attacks to his concerns about Washington's decision to relax sanctions.
He argued that Russia interprets reduced economic pressure as encouragement to continue fighting.
That is the Ukrainian president's assessment of Moscow's behaviour, rather than proof that the diesel agreement caused the subsequent attacks.
Russia had already been conducting an intensive bombing campaign before the announcement.
Nevertheless, the sequence of events reinforced Kyiv's argument that economic pressure should increase while Russian strikes continue.
Zelensky warned that additional export revenue could help Moscow purchase components, manufacture weapons and maintain its armed forces.
His criticism follows an earlier confrontation in which he accused Trump of failing to respond forcefully enough to Russian attacks that killed 78 people.
The two leaders are now openly divided over whether negotiations should be supported by stronger pressure on Russia or a relaxation of selected economic restrictions.
Can Trump Actually Force Zelensky Out Of Office?
Trump cannot directly remove Ukraine's president.
Ukraine is a sovereign state with its own constitution, parliament and electoral laws. The selection of its president is a matter for Ukrainian voters and institutions.
Zelensky was elected in April 2019, defeating incumbent Petro Poroshenko.
His original five-year presidential term would ordinarily have led to another election in 2024.
That election did not take place because Ukraine has remained under martial law since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Ukrainian legislation prohibits presidential elections during martial law.
The Ukrainian constitution also provides for the sitting president to continue exercising presidential authority until a newly elected successor takes office.
Organising a credible election during the war would present considerable practical problems.
Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced, some territory remains under Russian occupation, and significant numbers of military personnel are deployed along the front line.
Air attacks, damaged infrastructure and the safety of polling stations would create further difficulties.
These obstacles do not eliminate debate about democratic accountability or the eventual need for elections.
They explain, however, why replacing Zelensky is not simply a matter of announcing an election.
Trump could apply diplomatic pressure, reconsider aspects of American assistance or support negotiations that include political conditions.
None of those steps would independently give Washington the constitutional power to appoint Ukraine's president.
Why The Leadership Dispute Matters For Peace Negotiations
Trump's comments come at a particularly sensitive moment in diplomatic discussions.
On Friday, American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Ukrainian and European representatives in Miami.
The discussions addressed possible security guarantees, territorial arrangements, reconstruction funding and arrangements for ending the war.
Negotiators also considered Ukraine's future relationship with NATO and its possible path towards European Union membership.
The talks were intended to develop proposals capable of restarting negotiations with Russia.
But the diesel announcement disrupted the atmosphere.
Ukrainian officials were surprised by Washington's decision to ease sanctions while the diplomatic meetings were taking place.
Zelensky subsequently criticised the way his government had been treated.
One Ukrainian official alleged that American envoys had warned Washington could restrict intelligence-sharing if Ukraine continued attacking Russian refineries.
An American official disputed that account, denying that such a threat had been made.
The competing versions have not been independently resolved.
The disagreement matters because US intelligence remains valuable to Ukraine's ability to identify threats, coordinate operations and defend its territory.
European allies provide extensive assistance, but some American capabilities would be difficult to replace quickly.
A confrontation over intelligence cooperation could therefore have practical consequences far beyond diplomatic language.
Does Putin Benefit From The Dispute?
The immediate advantage to Russia is economic.
Additional diesel exports could provide revenue at a time when Moscow is attempting to maintain military spending despite sanctions and damage to its energy infrastructure.
A second potential advantage concerns diplomacy.
When Washington and Kyiv disagree publicly, they may find it harder to present a common negotiating position to Russia.
That could complicate efforts to agree on sanctions, territorial concessions and security guarantees.
These are potential consequences, not evidence that Putin engineered Trump's comments about Ukrainian leadership.
Moscow also faces constraints of its own.
Russian refineries have sustained damage from Ukrainian strikes, and the country continues to devote substantial resources to a war that has lasted more than four and a half years.
Putin's government has maintained territorial demands that Ukraine regards as unacceptable.
In recent diplomatic discussions, Russia has continued insisting on control over territory that its forces do not entirely occupy.
This remains one of the principal obstacles to a peace settlement.
The wider effort to reach an agreement between Russia and Ukraine therefore depends on more than the relationship between Trump and Zelensky.
A lasting settlement would need to address territorial sovereignty, future military arrangements and guarantees intended to prevent another invasion.
What Happens Next For Zelensky And Ukraine?
There are several immediate decisions facing Washington and Kyiv.
American representatives must establish whether the dispute over Russian refineries can be resolved without damaging military and intelligence cooperation.
Ukraine must decide whether to continue the strikes despite Trump's objections or negotiate a reciprocal arrangement with Russia.
The Trump administration also needs to explain how restoring Russian diesel exports fits with its wider sanctions policy and efforts to secure concessions from Putin.
Witkoff and Kushner have been considering further diplomatic visits to Moscow and Kyiv, although the deterioration in relations could complicate those plans.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is seeking more air-defence equipment as Russian missile and drone attacks continue.
Zelensky has discussed additional defensive assistance with European partners, including France, and warned of further threats to Ukrainian cities.
For Ukraine, the immediate priority remains protecting its population and preserving the military assistance needed to continue resisting Russia.
For Trump, the dispute now extends beyond fuel prices and the details of a proposed peace agreement.
By calling for a different Ukrainian president, he has introduced the question of Zelensky's political future into an already fragile diplomatic process.
What remains unconfirmed is whether Washington intends to translate that criticism into a formal demand during negotiations.
Until then, Zelensky remains Ukraine's president, American and Ukrainian diplomats must decide whether they can restore a common position, and Russian attacks continue.
Sources
The Times — Ukraine Needs A New President, Trump Says In Diesel Row — Trump's comments about Ukrainian leadership and attacks on Russian refineries, 10 October 2026.
Axios — U.S. Official: Trump Cut Deal With Putin After Zelensky Ignored His Requests — Dispute over refinery attacks, conflicting intelligence-sharing accounts and the Miami negotiations, 10 October 2026.
Reuters — Russian Attack On Ukrainian City Kills 20, A Day After Trump Eases Diesel Sanctions On Moscow — Civilian casualties, sanctions changes and Zelensky's response, 10 October 2026.
Next Reads
Zelensky Accuses Trump Of Abandoning Ukraine After 78 Killed In Russian Strikes — How Will The US President Respond? — The earlier confrontation over Russian attacks and Washington's response.
Putin Says Ukraine Peace Deal Is Possible As Trump-Russia Contacts Accelerate Behind The Scenes — Background on direct diplomacy between Washington and Moscow.
