In a striking departure from traditional U.S. foreign‑policy rhetoric, President Donald Trump publicly called for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to step down. Trump cited the March diesel‑import deal with Moscow as evidence of Zelensky’s broken promises to fight Russian aggression.
“It’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump told reporters, framing the diesel deal as a “gift” to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The move has drawn criticism from international allies and U.S. officials who view the agreement as a strategic blunder.
Zelensky defended the deal, arguing that the fuel was necessary to keep Ukraine’s critical infrastructure running amid an expensive war. Yet Trump’s remarks have cast doubt on the U.S.’s continued support for Ukraine’s leadership structure.
The comments arrive at a time when U.S. lawmakers are debating how to balance diplomatic support for Ukraine with domestic political pressures. Many experts say that President Trump’s public criticism could embolden Russian propaganda and undermine U.S. credibility in the region.
For more on the rising tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine, see the full BBC story here.
