Trump calls for Ukraine to choose a new president as relations with Zelensky hit their lowest point since Oval Office clash

The relations between Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and former U.S. President Donald Trump have hit their lowest point since a clash in the Oval Office in early 2025, according to The Wall Street Journal. Trump suggested that Ukraine should choose a new president as the current one may not be able to make deals, while Axios described the situation as a "serious crisis."

The outburst could potentially undermine the European efforts to maintain U.S. support for Ukraine and pressure Russia. Trump made these remarks a day after agreeing with Russian President Vladimir Putin to allow Russian diesel fuel to reach the U.S. and global markets. Trump criticized Zelensky for hitting Russian oil refineries, which he believed were driving up fuel prices in the U.S. The U.S. Treasury Department had already granted Russia a license to supply diesel fuel to the global market until April 7, 2027.

Zelensky called the decision "an obvious weakness," stating that gifts to Putin would not bring peace or benefit the civilized world. Ukrainian officials rallied behind Zelensky after Trump's suggestion, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stating that Zelensky leads the nation in a time of war and deserves support. However, some experts, like Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, criticized the deal with Putin and pledged support for strikes on Russian oil refineries, believing that deals with dictators lead to negative consequences.

Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX, also voiced support for Trump's remarks about Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries, stating that it's "time for Ukraine to get a new leader."