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Monday, 12 October 2026AboutAdvertiseContact

Trump calls for Ukraine to replace Zelensky over Russian oil strikes

US president criticises Ukrainian leader over attacks on refineries, says Ukraine needs new leadership willing to end the war.

At a glance

  • Trump urged Ukraine to replace its current leadership
  • He cited strikes on Russian oil refineries as a concern
  • Trump said he had advised against targeting refineries
  • He stated a new Ukrainian leader should be willing to end the war

US President Donald Trump on Saturday called for Ukraine to replace its leader, citing concerns over strikes against Russian oil refineries. Trump said he had instructed the Ukrainian president to avoid targeting refineries, and stated that Ukraine should find a new leader willing to agree to end the war.

Trump's comments came as he expressed concern that the strikes were contributing to elevated diesel prices ahead of US midterm elections.

Why it matters

The comments reflect US policy positions on the Ukraine conflict and suggest potential shifts in American diplomatic approach to the war.

Original reporting

This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.