Trump tells Zelenskyy to 'get a new president' after Putin diesel deal sparks furious transatlantic row
From the Newshound archive · first published 10 October 2026 · last updated 11 October 2026.
Trump went public on Saturday with demands that Zelenskyy step down, saying "it's time for Ukraine to get a new president" after the Ukrainian leader attacked the White House's decision to remove sanctions on Russian diesel exports. Trump had reached the agreement with Putin on Friday, releasing 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately and a further 1.5 million tonnes before the end of the year, as diesel prices climbed past $6 a gallon ahead of November's midterms. Ukraine's foreign minister Andriy Sybiga pushed back, saying Zelenskyy "has the support of the Ukrainian people" and that foreign statements "only confirm he is doing his job well." Boris Johnson branded the sanctions removal "sickening," warning it would "bankroll Putin's slaughter."
Putin told Trump during Friday's call he would fight until he achieves "all stated goals," categorically rejecting any peace talks.
Russian forces killed 20 Ukrainians including three children in Zaporizhzhia strikes hours after the diesel deal was announced.
Some Republicans have also broken with Trump, warning the move "will only fund the Kremlin's war machine."