Trump says Ukraine needs a new president who will agree to end the war

What Happened

United States President Donald Trump called for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a new leader who can make a deal to end the war, speaking at the White House on Saturday. Trump accused Zelenskyy of not doing enough and blamed Kyiv's strikes on Russian oil refineries for high diesel prices ahead of the US midterm elections. He claimed without evidence that under Zelenskyy Ukraine has "lost 30 percent of your country" and that "over 2 million people killed," and said the war "started due to incompetence." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga defended Zelenskyy, saying he has the support of the Ukrainian people and that statements from abroad confirm he is doing his job well. The remarks followed Russian strikes that killed at least 20 people in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, according to Ukrainian officials, including five glide bombs dropped on residential buildings, according to Zelenskyy.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

A sitting US president publicly urging an allied wartime leader's replacement undermines Ukrainian political cohesion and signals a potential shift in US policy away from unconditional support. The announced diesel purchase from Russia reverses years of US-led sanctions pressure and would provide Moscow revenue that Zelenskyy says will fund weapons components, drone upgrades, missile production, and mercenary recruitment. Kyiv views the sanctions easing as directly emboldening Russian strikes, as evidenced by the same-day glide bomb attack on Zaporizhzhia residential buildings.

Watch For

Monitor whether the Russian diesel deliveries proceed as announced—more than 300,000 tonnes immediately, 500,000 tonnes in November, one million tonnes immediately thereafter, and an additional three million tonnes within a short period—and whether Congress or European allies attempt to block or condemn the deal. Watch for further Russian missile and glide bomb strikes on Ukrainian cities, particularly Zaporizhzhia, after Zelenskyy warned of increased risk in the coming days. Track the Miami talks involving Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with Ukrainian officials on an end-war proposal, and observe whether Trump escalates pressure on Zelenskyy ahead of the US midterm elections.