Trump Calls for New Ukrainian Leader, Blasts Zelenskyy Over Deal
(MENAFN) Donald Trump said Saturday that Ukraine should replace its leader, blaming President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for repeatedly failing to secure a deal to end the war with Russia.
“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal, because he could have made many deals that, for some reason, he never does,” the US president said of the Ukrainian leader.
“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” he added.
Trump also insisted the conflict was avoidable. The war began in 2022 under then-President Joe Biden, before Trump’s second term started.
“If I were president, you wouldn’t have ever had that war. That war would have never started,” he said.
He accused Zelenskyy of squandering repeated chances to halt the fighting. “Zelenskyy could have settled this war many times, many, many times, and he chooses not to,” Trump said, calling the situation “very difficult.”
Fuel Supply Warning
Trump also took aim at Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities. He argued that hits on refineries could deepen global fuel shortages and hurt American farmers and ranchers.
“We told them, do whatever you want, but don’t hit the diesel fuel because there’s a big problem. Big shortage,” he said.
Remarks at Joint Base Andrews
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Trump renewed his attack, saying the war “could have been solved many times, but for whatever reason Zelensky does not want to make a deal.”
Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to a settlement with Kyiv, and that Zelenskyy “would have been a lot better off and he could have made a much better deal two years ago.”
“President Putin would like to see a settlement strongly and look, he’s freeing up a lot of oil for the world,” Trump added. He was referring to a new arrangement allowing Russia to sell diesel fuel, which Zelenskyy has sharply condemned.
Moscow and Kyiv have intensified attacks in recent months, hitting each other’s logistics hubs, ports and energy infrastructure. Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, saying their strikes are aimed at military objectives or facilities tied to military activity.
Kyiv Responds
Shortly after Trump spoke, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X that Zelenskyy is leading Ukraine through wartime “for independence, freedom, and dignity.”
“He has the support of the Ukrainian people, and they have the right to decide. Statements from abroad only confirm that he is doing his job well. He deserves support,” Sybiha added.
“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal, because he could have made many deals that, for some reason, he never does,” the US president said of the Ukrainian leader.
“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” he added.
Trump also insisted the conflict was avoidable. The war began in 2022 under then-President Joe Biden, before Trump’s second term started.
“If I were president, you wouldn’t have ever had that war. That war would have never started,” he said.
He accused Zelenskyy of squandering repeated chances to halt the fighting. “Zelenskyy could have settled this war many times, many, many times, and he chooses not to,” Trump said, calling the situation “very difficult.”
Fuel Supply Warning
Trump also took aim at Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities. He argued that hits on refineries could deepen global fuel shortages and hurt American farmers and ranchers.
“We told them, do whatever you want, but don’t hit the diesel fuel because there’s a big problem. Big shortage,” he said.
Remarks at Joint Base Andrews
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Trump renewed his attack, saying the war “could have been solved many times, but for whatever reason Zelensky does not want to make a deal.”
Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to a settlement with Kyiv, and that Zelenskyy “would have been a lot better off and he could have made a much better deal two years ago.”
“President Putin would like to see a settlement strongly and look, he’s freeing up a lot of oil for the world,” Trump added. He was referring to a new arrangement allowing Russia to sell diesel fuel, which Zelenskyy has sharply condemned.
Moscow and Kyiv have intensified attacks in recent months, hitting each other’s logistics hubs, ports and energy infrastructure. Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, saying their strikes are aimed at military objectives or facilities tied to military activity.
Kyiv Responds
Shortly after Trump spoke, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X that Zelenskyy is leading Ukraine through wartime “for independence, freedom, and dignity.”
“He has the support of the Ukrainian people, and they have the right to decide. Statements from abroad only confirm that he is doing his job well. He deserves support,” Sybiha added.
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