Trump says Ukraine needs new president, blames Zelenskyy for diesel prices

Former US President Donald Trump has suggested that Ukraine should elect a new leader, blaming Volodymyr Zelenskyy for failing to negotiate a resolution to the conflict with Russia and for contributing to higher diesel prices in the United States. Trump made these remarks on Saturday, after announcing a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply diesel to US and global markets in order to alleviate rising fuel costs ahead of the November midterm elections.

Trump accused Zelenskyy of exacerbating global economic issues by continuing attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, which he claimed were impacting American farmers and ranchers through increased diesel prices. He also claimed that the war in Ukraine would not have begun if he had been President at the time, stating that it was a result of incompetence.

Trump further asserted that Ukraine had lost 30% of its territory and that over two million people had been killed in the conflict, figures that are disputed by independent estimates. The remarks followed Russian strikes in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, which killed at least 20 people, including three children. Zelenskyy criticized the US-Russia diesel agreement, arguing that it would provide Moscow with additional revenue to sustain its war effort.

He urged Washington and other partners to limit Russia's ability to finance its military operations.