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Trump calls for new Ukrainian president and end to refinery strikes

The US president said Ukraine should replace Volodymyr Zelensky and stop attacks on Russian refineries after a new diesel deal with Moscow.

By ECTV Crisis DeskEditor-in-chief: Erik FerdinandPublished 8 independent sources · 59% confidence

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    Former US Vice President Mike Pence has called on Donald Trump to rescind the new Russia diesel deal and stand up to Vladimir Putin, HuffPost and Yahoo News Singapore reported.

    Source: HuffPost, Yahoo News Singapore

Incoming reports (3) · not yet verified by ECTV
Location: Ukraine. Open the live Europe Crisis Map

US President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying a new leader could make a deal to end the war, according to Kathimerini, Iefimerida, NewsIT and MDR.

Trump made the comments at the White House on 10 October, one day after announcing an agreement with Moscow covering Russian diesel supplies and a temporary easing of US restrictions on transactions involving that fuel.

He also demanded that Ukraine stop striking Russian oil refineries. Trump said Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure were contributing to global diesel shortages and higher fuel costs, according to Kathimerini and Iefimerida.

Trump argued that Zelensky had previously had opportunities to reach an agreement with Russia and said Ukraine should have a leader able to conclude a deal. The supplied material does not include a Ukrainian government response to Trump's call for a change of leadership.

The remarks came as US, Ukrainian and European representatives were holding talks in Miami on possible steps towards ending the war. US envoy Steve Witkoff described those talks as constructive, while MDR reported that the Ukrainian delegation was already returning to Kyiv and that the second planned day of talks was uncertain.

The diesel agreement has become part of the dispute around the negotiations. MDR reported that Russia moved to partly lift its diesel export ban after the deal, while the German government said it continued to support sanctions on Russia and was working with EU partners on further measures.

Trump's comments also followed renewed Russian attacks on Ukraine. MDR reported that Ukrainian authorities said at least 20 people were killed in strikes on Zaporizhzhia and that 18 were injured. That casualty report concerns a separate attack and is not connected to Trump's statement.

The supplied reports do not indicate any constitutional process in Ukraine to remove or replace the president. Trump's remarks are therefore being reported as a political demand by the US president, not as a change in Ukraine's leadership or legal status.

The intervention directly links three issues now being discussed together: US pressure on Ukraine over refinery strikes, the new Russian diesel arrangement and negotiations over a possible end to the war.

What we know

  • 1 outlet Trump called for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelensky.
  • 1 outlet Trump also demanded that Ukraine stop strikes on Russian refineries.
  • 1 outlet The remarks followed a US-Russia agreement on Russian diesel supplies and temporary sanctions relief.
  • 1 outlet US, Ukrainian and European representatives were holding talks in Miami on possible steps towards ending the war.
  • 1 outlet Germany said it continued to support sanctions on Russia and was working with EU partners on further measures.

How each fact is established: Verified checked by an ECTV editorOfficial stated by an official body2+ outlets reported independently by two or more news organisations1 outlet reported by a single news organisation so farUnconfirmed claimed or reportedHow we label facts

Why it matters for Europe

Trump's demand puts direct pressure on Ukraine's political leadership while Washington is also pressing Kyiv over attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. The comments come during peace talks and immediately after a US-Russia diesel agreement that has already drawn criticism from Ukrainian and European officials.

Sources

Reported by 8 reports from 8 independent outlets in 2 countries.

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Questions and answers

What did Trump say about Zelensky?
Trump said Ukraine should have a new president who could make a deal to end the war.
What did Trump say about attacks on Russian refineries?
He said Ukraine should stop striking Russian refineries because he said the attacks were worsening diesel shortages and prices.
What is the link to the US-Russia diesel deal?
Trump's remarks came one day after Washington announced an agreement allowing Russian diesel supplies and temporary relief for related transactions.

This article was written with AI assistance from 8 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.

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ukrainedonald trumpvolodymyr zelenskyrussiadieselpeace talkssanctions