United States President Donald Trump has publicly called for the removal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, blaming the latter for rising diesel costs that are creating political pressure for the Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections. The outburst followed Trump’s announcement of a new diesel supply agreement with Russia, a move that has significantly strained US-Ukraine relations.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Saturday, Trump stated, “I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” alleging that Zelenskyy’s strikes on Russian refineries had disrupted global diesel supplies. “He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers with diesel fuel because Russia supplies a large portion of the diesel fuel throughout the world,” Trump added.
The批评 comes despite Trump striking a deal with Vladimir Putin on Friday to purchase Russian diesel in an effort to lower domestic fuel prices. The agreement represents a dramatic pivot from years of US sanctions and pressure against Moscow over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have warned that every additional billion dollars Russia earns from such exports directly funds weapons components, drone upgrades, and mercenary recruitment.
In response, Zelenskyy vowed on Sunday to continue attacking Russian oil infrastructure unless Moscow halts its own strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities. “It is possible to stop strikes on energy infrastructure as early as today, but (Russian President Vladimir) Putin does not want to do so,” Zelenskyy wrote on the platform X.
This latest feud is the most recent chapter in a deteriorating relationship that traces back to Trump’s first term. During that period, Trump pressured Zelenskyy to investigate political rival Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, while nearly $400 million in congressionally approved security assistance was withheld from Kyiv.
The timeline of US-Ukraine friction under Trump’s second term has accelerated since he returned to power:
October 2026: Trump criticized Zelenskyy’s refusal to cease attacks on Russian energy sites, telling reporters, “I said to him, ‘Do what you want. Don’t hit refineries.’ And he went out and he hit.” He further suggested that Zelenskyy had the opportunity to negotiate peace deals but chose not to.
April 2025: On April 15, Trump implied Kyiv bore responsibility for starting the war, noting Zelenskyy was “always looking to purchase” US missiles. Days later, on April 23, the US president condemned Zelenskyy’s rejection of ceding Crimea to Russia as “very harmful” to peace negotiations, warning that the Ukrainian leader could either secure peace or lose his country entirely.
February 28, 2025: A heated Oval Office meeting descended into a shouting match. Trump and Vice President JD Vance confronted Zelenskyy over rare earth mineral agreements and peace terms. Trump warned, “You’re either going to make a deal [on ending the war with Russia] or we’re out,” accusing the Ukrainian leader of disrespecting the United States and overstaying his welcome.
February 19, 2025: In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump labeled Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections” who was prolonging the conflict to maintain the “gravy train” of American military aid. Speaking at an investment summit in Miami, he added, “A dictator without elections. Zelenskyy better move fast or he’s not going to have a country left.”
2024 Campaign Trail: During the presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly accused Zelenskyy of avoiding negotiations. At a rally in North Carolina, he argued that even the “worst deal” involving territorial concessions would be preferable to continued destruction.
July 2019: Records from Trump’s first term show him urging Zelenskyy to cooperate with Rudy Giuliani and then-Attorney General William Barr on investigations into the Bidens. While Zelenskyy expressed willingness to look into new cases at the time, Ukrainian officials later maintained they did not feel directly threatened during the call.
Calls him a dictator now after supporting him for years. Hypocrisy at its finest. Kyiv knows the reality of this deal better than Washington does.
Wait, Trump claimed Zelenskyy wants to make problems for American farmers? That logic is completely inverted if the fuel is coming straight from Putin.
My gas prices are up too, but solving that by cutting off our ally and paying the enemy seems backwards. Doesn’t this undermine every NATO principle?
This timeline is terrifying. It goes from campaign rhetoric to outright shouting matches in just a year. What happens when the next winter hits?
Buying diesel from Russia while pressuring Ukraine to stop striking refineries feels like a terrible strategic blunder. Who is this helping again?