Trump Demands Zelensky’s Removal After Russia Diesel Deal

Twenty people, including three children, died in a Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia on Saturday. Hours later, US President Donald Trump said Ukraine should get a new leader who could make a deal with Russia. A six-year-old girl was among those killed in the strike on an apartment block. Trump’s demand came amid fresh grief and a growing fight over fuel and the war. ^3,4

That demand followed a Friday deal Trump announced with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia would supply diesel to the United States and other markets, while sanctions on Russian fuel would be eased. One report put the amount at about 300,000 metric tons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the move a terrible step, warning that the money could help Russia keep fighting. Trump, by contrast, blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries for worsening fuel shortages and told Kyiv to stop. ^2,4,12

The refineries are at the heart of a fight over who should bear the cost of keeping fuel flowing. Trump says attacks on them risk disrupting supplies and hurting consumers, farmers and businesses; Ukraine says easing sanctions gives Moscow more money while Russian forces keep attacking Ukrainian cities. Both countries have targeted each other’s energy sites as the war, launched by Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, continues. Ukrainian officials said the strike in Zaporizhzhia killed 20 people. ^3,7,10

The 20 deaths also sharpened the political response. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said Zelensky has the backing of Ukrainians and that they have the right to choose their leader. Britain and other supporters also voiced support, while Trump’s comments put pressure on Kyiv to change course. Ukraine’s leaders are for Ukrainians to choose; the immediate dispute is whether Kyiv will stop attacks on refineries as the diesel deal takes effect. ^14,15,19