... and a call for 'changing Zelensky'

Washington–Kyiv–Agencies: U.S. President Donald Trump called for a new leadership in Ukraine. Trump criticized his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, and urged him to stop targeting Russian oil refineries. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “It would be better for him to stop doing that,” a day after announcing that he had reached an agreement allowing Russia to supply diesel to global markets. Referring to Zelensky, Trump said, “I suggest they choose a new leader capable of striking a deal.” Trump announced the agreement following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The deal entails Moscow releasing large quantities of diesel into the U.S. and global markets in exchange for the easing of some sanctions imposed on Russia. Ukrainian President Zelensky viewed the Russian strikes on his country on Saturday, which killed 16 people, as Moscow’s way of “thanking” Washington for the diesel deal announced by Trump. Zelensky told reporters, “This is certainly not fair, and it is certainly shameful on the part of our partners. In my view, it is also a weak decision.” Kyiv relies on U.S. support in negotiations to end the war. The West imposed sanctions, including restrictions on Russian energy imports, after Moscow launched a full-scale war against Ukraine in February 2022. The European Union sharply criticized the diesel supply deal, warning that easing sanctions would provide Moscow with additional revenue to fund its war against Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that lifting sanctions on Russian diesel would help finance Moscow’s war against Ukraine.