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Trump again calls for Zelensky to go, blames Ukraine for diesel crisis

US president's latest outburst comes after striking a deal to buy Russian diesel, upending sanctions

By LineZotpaper
Published
Updated
Read Time2 min
Sources8 outlets
Donald Trump on Saturday again called for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to leave office, blaming him for continuing the war and for striking Russian diesel refineries, as the US president's deal to buy Russian diesel sends relations between Washington and Kyiv to a fresh low.

Speaking to reporters while leaving the White House for a rally in Tennessee, Trump said Zelensky "could have settled this war many times — many, many times. He chooses not to. Very difficult." He accused Ukraine of ignoring a warning not to hit Russia's refineries, saying Zelensky "wants to make problems for the world, he wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers."

Trump said Zelensky "better damn well stop" striking Russia's diesel refineries. On Friday, the US president struck a deal to buy Russian diesel, upending years of sanctions against Moscow, though it was not evident that Vladimir Putin could fulfil his end of the deal, given he is struggling to fuel his own economy.

Ukraine has pummelled Russian energy infrastructure in an attempt to cripple Putin's economy and deprive Moscow of funding for the war. Russia has imposed a diesel export ban as it battles to fuel its own needs. The dispute comes amid skyrocketing diesel prices that have hit American farmers and ranchers, a key political constituency for Trump.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Trump's call for a new president in Ukraine marks an extraordinary rupture between a wartime ally and its main arms supplier, potentially threatening future US military aid to Kyiv.
  • The deal to buy Russian diesel represents a dramatic reversal of US sanctions policy, rewarding Moscow at a time when Ukraine is fighting to defend its territory.
  • Skyrocketing diesel prices directly affect American consumers and farmers, and the dispute over who is responsible could shape domestic political debates.

Background

This is the latest in a series of escalating clashes between the Trump administration and Ukraine. Trump has long been critical of US aid to Ukraine and has expressed admiration for Putin. The war, now in its third year, has seen Ukraine increasingly target Russian energy infrastructure to disrupt Moscow's war economy. Diesel prices in the US have become a political vulnerability for Trump, and his administration appears to be seeking supply from Russia despite longstanding sanctions.

Key Perspectives

Trump administration:: Blames Zelensky for prolonging the war and for causing global diesel shortages by attacking Russian refineries. The deal to buy Russian diesel is framed as a necessary step to lower prices for American consumers and farmers. Ukraine:: Views strikes on Russian energy infrastructure as legitimate military targets to degrade Russia's ability to wage war. Kyiv considers any US deal to buy Russian diesel as a betrayal that rewards aggression and undermines sanctions. Russia:: Benefits from the US deal both economically and diplomatically, though Putin's ability to supply diesel is constrained by domestic shortages and the damage from Ukrainian strikes.

What to Watch

  • Whether Russia can actually deliver diesel to the US under the deal, and on what terms.
  • Ukraine's response: will Kyiv continue strikes on Russian refineries despite Trump's threats?
  • Congressional reaction, if any, to the reversal of sanctions policy.
  • Diesel price movements in the US as the November midterm elections approach.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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