Trump Says Ukraine Should Get a New President a Day After Russian Diesel Deal

President Donald Trump said Saturday, Oct. 10, that Ukraine should replace President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a day after announcing a diesel deal with Russia.

Trump told reporters at the White House before leaving for Tennessee that Ukraine should get a new leader. "I suggest they get a new leader," Trump said. He added: "I think it is time for Ukraine to get a new president." He also said of Zelenskyy: "He could have made many deals. For some reason he never does."

On Friday, Oct. 9, at 2:46 p.m. ET, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he had "concluded a highly successful discussion" with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He wrote that Russia would supply "over 300,000 Tons" of diesel immediately, "another 500,000 Tons during the month of November," and "1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter," followed by "3,000,000 Tons" "within a short period of time," based on the condition of Russian refineries. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control issued General License 135 the same day. It authorizes transactions for the sale, delivery, offloading and import of Russian-origin diesel, including into the United States, through April 7, 2027. It does not authorize debits to accounts at U.S. financial institutions of Russia's central bank, National Wealth Fund or Finance Ministry.

Putin said in a Kremlin statement, which gave no amounts, that Russia confirmed its willingness to supply oil and petroleum products to the U.S. and global markets. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the call lasted an hour and a half, that "no one wanted to hang up first," and that both leaders ended it at the same moment.

AAA put the national average price of diesel at $6.28 a gallon on Saturday, up from $5.98 a month ago and $3.67 a year ago. The record is $6.53, set Sept. 22.

Zelenskyy wrote on X on Saturday: "Today, Russia expressed its thanks for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia." Zaporizhzhia regional official Ivan Fedorov said in a post around 2 p.m. ET Saturday that 20 people were killed and 32 injured in the morning attack, and that the toll could still rise. The State Emergency Service had earlier reported 17 dead and 18 injured.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X that Zelenskyy "has the support of the Ukrainian people, and they have the right to decide. Statements from abroad only confirm that he is doing his job well. He deserves support."

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wrote on X that suspending sanctions on Russian diesel "provides Moscow with more revenues to wage war." She said EU foreign ministers intend on Monday, Oct. 12, to approve the biggest set of sanctions listings targeting Russia's war machine since the war began.