President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that Ukraine needs a “new president,” while urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to cease attacks on Russian oil refineries. Trump’s comments were made on the South Lawn of the White House before he left for a rally in Tennessee.
Trump criticized Zelenskyy for escalating global fuel issues by continuing to authorize strikes on Russian energy facilities. “He’d better d— well stop,” Trump warned, emphasizing that these actions could negatively impact worldwide energy supplies.
Trump elaborated that the U.S. had advised Ukraine against targeting refineries, indicating that such decisions contribute to broader global problems. “We said, ‘you can do whatever you want to Russia, don’t hit the refineries’,” he said.
Further, Trump expressed disappointment in Zelenskyy’s inability to secure peace in the ongoing conflict that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He claimed Zelenskyy could have brokered multiple agreements to end the hostilities but had not done so. “He could have made many deals and for some reason, he never does,” Trump remarked.
The remarks come in the context of heightened tensions regarding a new U.S. agreement with Russia, which involves easing sanctions on Russian diesel exports. Trump confirmed that the U.S. plans to lift restrictions on these exports until April 7. This agreement is expected to release millions of tons of diesel into American and global markets, potentially alleviating fuel supply issues.
Zelenskyy has voiced concerns that this deal could financially empower Russia to continue its military endeavors against Ukraine. His warnings highlight the risks associated with increased Russian revenues from energy exports, which could fund further aggression in the conflict.
The ongoing dispute has intensified as both Russia and Ukraine have escalated attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure amidst rising tensions over the conflict. Trump’s statements further pressure Zelenskyy to engage in negotiations to bring an end to the war.
As the situation develops, Trump continues to advocate for strategies aimed at lowering U.S. fuel prices during a period of rising energy costs attributed to various geopolitical factors, including conflicts involving Iran.
