US President Donald Trump has openly called for a change in Ukraine’s leadership, saying it is time for the country to elect a new president instead of Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the White House, amid growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv over a US agreement with Russia concerning oil supplies.
“You know what I suggest? I suggest they find a new leader who can make a deal. Because he can make all the deals he wants, but for some reason, he never does. I think it’s time for Ukraine to have a new president,” Trump said.
Trump also criticised Zelensky over Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, which he said had affected global oil supplies. He accused the Ukrainian president of creating problems for other countries, including the United States, through his actions.
“And what did he do? He went and attacked it,” Trump said, adding that Zelensky had lost 30 per cent of Ukraine’s territory and that more than two million people had died on both sides.
Trump’s remarks came a day after he announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply large quantities of Russian oil to the global market. Washington is seeking to ease rising fuel prices, which have climbed further amid the war involving Iran.
Zelensky has strongly criticised the agreement, warning that additional revenue from Russian energy exports would enable Moscow to continue its war against Ukraine.
