Trump urges new Ukrainian president after diesel deal sparks clash with Zelensky
Former President Donald Trump called for a new Ukrainian president on Oct. 10, 2026, after announcing a U.S. agreement with Russia to suspend sanctions on diesel exports.
Speaking on the White House lawn before traveling to a rally in Tennessee, Trump said Zelensky should stop attacking Russian oil refineries, arguing that the strikes were inflaming global fuel prices. He added that the United States had just reached a deal with President Vladimir Putin to allow Russian diesel to flow into the American and global markets until April 7, 2027.
"Zelensky could have settled this war many times, many, many times, and he chooses not to. Very difficult," Trump said, adding that the war "should have never been started" and that Ukraine had lost 30 percent of its territory.
The diesel agreement, first detailed in a Truth Social post, promised an initial shipment of more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by 500,000 tons in November and another million tons thereafter, with the potential for up to three million additional tons depending on refinery conditions. Trump claimed the move would push diesel prices down for American farmers, ranchers and truckers.
"At this very moment, while our team is talking with the American team in Florida, at this very moment, the President of the United States is talking with the leader of the Kremlin, the leader of this war, the leader of this aggression, and has an agreement under which America is allowing Russia to export diesel fuel. That means more money for this war... I believe our team is simply being used as a smokescreen, and that is certainly not fair," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement.
Zelensky’s office warned that the deal would provide Moscow with additional revenue to fund its military operations, describing the arrangement as a "weak decision" by strong partners. The Ukrainian leader also reaffirmed his commitment to striking Russian energy facilities, saying the attacks were a response to Russia’s own campaign against Ukraine’s power infrastructure.
U.S. officials have said the diesel waiver was intended to ease a supply squeeze that had driven U.S. diesel prices above $6 per gallon, a level that has strained farmers and transportation costs ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Treasury officials issued a temporary general license authorizing the export of Russian diesel, but the European Union and United Kingdom have kept their sanctions in place, limiting the deal’s impact on global markets.
Analysts note that the amount of diesel pledged by Russia would cover less than nine days of U.S. consumption, and that much of the promised volume may never materialize if Russian refineries remain impaired by Ukrainian strikes. Nevertheless, the announcement produced an immediate dip in diesel futures, while investors remain skeptical about the long‑term effects on fuel prices.
Trump’s remarks have drawn criticism from some Republican lawmakers who worry that lifting sanctions could prolong the conflict, while others praise the move as a pragmatic step to lower energy costs for American voters. The next round of diplomatic talks between the United States, Kyiv and Moscow is expected to continue next week, with the diesel issue likely to remain a focal point.
