US President Donald Trump has said it is time for Ukraine to elect a new president, escalating tensions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over a US deal to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports.
Zelensky warned that the agreement would provide Moscow with additional revenue to sustain its war against Ukraine, describing the move as a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, Trump accused Zelensky of creating problems for the world by continuing to authorise attacks on Russian oil refineries.
‘He’d better damn well stop,’ Trump said, suggesting that Ukraine should ‘get a new leader who can make a deal’.
Trump said Washington had previously told Ukraine it could continue its actions against Russia but should avoid striking refineries, arguing that such attacks had wider consequences for global energy supplies.
‘He could have made many deals and for some reason, he never does,’ Trump added.
Putin’s envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, praised Trump’s remarks as ‘iconic and historic’, saying Ukraine needed leadership focused on peace.
US-Russia diesel deal draws criticism
Trump confirmed on Friday that an agreement had been reached with Moscow to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7.
Under the deal, Russia would initially release 300,000 tonnes of diesel into the US and global markets, followed by another 500,000 tonnes in November.
Trump also announced plans for a further one million tonnes, followed by another three million tonnes ‘within a short period of time’. He said the latter delivery would depend on the condition of Russia’s diesel refineries.
Zelensky warned that the agreement would allow Moscow to raise funds for additional military equipment and continue its invasion.
He also accused Russia of interpreting the deal as permission to continue fighting and bombing Ukrainian cities, following deadly strikes on Zaporizhzhia.
The agreement has drawn criticism from European Union foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, who said suspending sanctions would provide Moscow with more revenue to finance its war.
‘This is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe won’t,’ she said.
Kallas added that European foreign ministers intended to approve the biggest package of sanctions against Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion on Monday.
Iran war drives fuel prices higher
The agreement comes amid severe pressure on global fuel supplies following the war against Iran launched by the United States and Israel in February.
The conflict has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil products normally pass.
Russia and Ukraine have also intensified attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure and transport facilities, adding to pressure on energy markets.
The disruption has pushed up petrol and diesel prices in the United States, creating political challenges for Trump ahead of the midterm elections.
According to the American Automobile Association, the average price of diesel stood at US$6.28 per gallon, up from US$5.94 a month earlier and US$3.68 a year ago.
The deal with Moscow is the latest effort by Trump to bring down fuel prices after months of rising costs linked to the Iran conflict.
Meanwhile, Russia has experienced two waves of severe fuel shortages over the past 10 months following Ukrainian drone attacks on its oil refineries.
The International Energy Agency estimated that Russian diesel production had fallen by 30%.
Zelensky seeks support from allies
Zelensky spoke to several allies on Saturday to discuss the latest developments, calling for ‘real decisions to protect lives in Ukraine’ and safeguard European security.
A Downing Street spokesperson said British Prime Minister Andy Burnham had spoken to Zelensky and offered his ‘complete solidarity’.
The two leaders agreed that Russia should accept an immediate energy ceasefire and stop attacking shipping in the Black Sea, the spokesperson said.
Such a move would immediately release more energy and food supplies into global markets, according to the statement.
Trump had called for new elections in Ukraine last December, arguing that Ukrainian voters should have the opportunity to replace Zelensky.
However, Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, meaning elections have been suspended.
