After Zelensky criticizes the U.S’s diesel deal with Russia, Trump says it’s ‘time for Ukraine to get a new president’
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After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the U.S.’s recent diesel agreement with Russia, an arrangement that he alleged could potentially let Moscow strengthen its attacks on Ukraine, Trump responded. Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, he alleged that Zelensky was causing trouble by bombing Russia’s refineries.
He said, “We said, ‘You can do whatever you want to Russia. Don’t hit the refineries because that’s a world problem.’” Accusing Zelensky of bringing trouble to US workers who rely on diesel as an energy source, Trump said, “He wants to make problems for the world. He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers with diesel fuel, because Russia supplies a large portion of the diesel fuel around the world.”
Referring to Zelensky, Trump also said, “He’d better damn well stop,” before suggesting that Ukraine should “get a new leader who can make a deal.” In another segment, Trump reiterated his words and said, “It’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.”
Trump also suggested that Zelensky could have prevented escalation between Russia and Ukraine but chose not to. He said, “Zelenskyy could have settled this war many times. Many, many times. And he chooses not to.” He added, “Very difficult. It’s a war that should’ve never been started.”
Seven senators urge Trump to reverse the diesel agreement with Russia
On Thursday, as per BBC, Trump announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to export approximately 300,000 tonnes of diesel as soon as possible. He added that this shipment would be followed by several others: 500,000 tonnes in November, 1 million tonnes at a later date, and an additional three million tonnes, to be delivered “within a short period,” depending on the condition of Russia’s refineries.
Ukraine is now targeting these refineries following years of conflict initiated by Russia in 2022, which has also repeatedly attacked Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Although peace proposals and negotiations, such as an energy ceasefire agreement, have been made, violations have occurred. For example, Russia struck several Ukrainian power plants, including one in Kharkiv, even after Trump mentioned the ceasefire.
Trump’s efforts, however, have drawn serious criticism. According to the BBC article, seven senators, four Republicans and three Democrats, challenged Trump’s decision on Sunday, alleging violations of U.S. laws and urging him to reverse it.
A portion of a joint statement signed by Republicans Susan Collins, Thom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski, and John Curtis, and Democrats Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal, and Ron Wyden read, “The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians.” The senators also pointed out that Congress’s 2022 ban on Russian energy imports was enacted to prevent American funds from supporting Putin’s violent war in Ukraine.
That said, not everyone disagrees with Trump’s decision. According to the BBC article, Thomas Massie has said the United States should lift all sanctions on Russian imports.
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