President Donald Trump told Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelensky with a leader willing to negotiate a deal with Russia to end the war. The call for leadership change followed Zelensky's public criticism of a recent agreement between the United States and Russia regarding diesel exports.
The dispute marks the most serious crisis between the two leaders since their February 2025 meeting ended in a public argument. Trump announced on Friday that he had reached a deal with Russia to lift sanctions, allowing Russian diesel to reach the U.S. and global energy markets. Zelensky, who said he was surprised by the agreement made behind Ukraine's back, told Axios that the move was "not fair and not honest." He described it as a "sign of weakness" by Trump and a "birthday gift" to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to a U.S. official speaking to Axios, the president finalized the fuel agreement because the Ukrainian leader failed to act on multiple American demands to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries. Trump said Saturday that Zelensky could have reached a deal with Russia many times "but chooses not to." He told reporters, "I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal," adding that it is time for Ukraine to get a new president.
Trump also claimed that Zelensky's actions harmed American farmers. He said he asked Zelensky to stop attacking Russian oil refineries and warned, "He better damn well stop."