Trump urges Ukraine to elect new president after striking Russian refineries

In a sharp‑cut press briefing on Tuesday, former U.S. President Donald Trump said it was “time for Ukraine to get a new president.” He blasted Ukraine’s decision to target Russian oil refineries and warned that the move could inflame tensions while his own administration negotiated a fuel deal with Moscow.

The 27‑day‑old strike, launched in early September, came after Russia fired drones at Ukrainian pipelines and weapons depots. Zelensky’s government has used the attacks to shut down several Russian‑owned refineries in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

At the same time, Trump announced that the U.S. was ready to import Russian diesel for $5,000 per barrel, a figure that Zelensky called a “gift” for Vladimir Putin. The deal was presented as a way to support fuel infrastructure for NATO allies in Eastern Europe.

The comments have reignited a debate over the role of the United States in the Ukraine war, with pundits warning that Trump’s rhetoric could undermine the strategic partnership and fuel expectations on the frontline.

Read more on the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine.