Trump asks Ukraine to replace Zelensky over protracted Russian war

Former US President Donald Trump has urged Ukraine to elect a new leader, alleging that current President Volodymyr Zelensky is obstructing efforts to terminate the ongoing conflict with Russia. During a visit to Tennessee for a midterm campaign rally, Trump told reporters, “I suggest Ukraine gets a new leader who can make a deal.”

He contended that Zelensky has repeatedly avoided reaching agreements, asserting that the Ukrainian president could have concluded the war multiple times but intentionally opted not to, thereby causing global issues and harming American farmers through targeted attacks on Russian refineries.

This proposal came in response to Zelensky's criticism of Trump's deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which involves supplying millions of tons of Russian diesel to the United States and international markets. The agreement, coupled with a temporary waiver of U.S. Treasury sanctions on Russian diesel exports, has drawn criticism from European nations and American lawmakers.

Zelensky argued that permitting Moscow to sell oil products serves as a green light for Russia, signaling its capability to "keep attacking" Ukraine. He urged the decision to be rectified.

Zelensky communicated with UK Prime Minister Andrew Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre via social media platform X, urging "strong signals" from the US, Europe, and other allies to "restrict Russia's ability to wage war and terrorize people."