US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that Ukraine requires a new president, criticizing Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his inability to secure a peace agreement with Russia. Speaking from the White House, Trump suggested that Kyiv needs a leader capable of striking a deal, implying that the current administration has failed to achieve this goal.
“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal,” Trump said. “For some reason, (Zelenskyy) never does.” The US president highlighted the severe toll of the conflict, noting that Ukraine has lost approximately 30% of its territory and suffered between one and two million casualties. He described the war as something that should never have begun and reiterated his belief that a change in leadership is necessary.
In addition to his remarks on Ukrainian leadership, Trump issued a specific warning regarding military strategy. While he told Zelenskyy that he was free to conduct operations as he saw fit against Russian forces, he explicitly prohibited attacks on Russian oil refineries. Trump emphasized that Kyiv must stop targeting these energy facilities, stating, “He better damn well stop.”
Casualties at that scale are terrifying. But demanding a new leader feels like an attempt to install a puppet rather than seek peace.
This is insane. The US telling Ukraine what it can and cannot target is blatant disrespect for Kyiv’s sovereignty.