US President Donald Trump has launched a sharp attack on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of repeatedly missing opportunities to end the war with Russia. Trump argued that the conflict should never have started and claimed that Zelenskyy had rejected several chances to reach a peace agreement. Trump also criticised Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil refineries, saying Washington had told Moscow it could act as it wished as long as it avoided targeting refineries. He argued that damage to fuel infrastructure could create a wider global crisis. He said, "Zelenskyy could have settled this war many times. He chooses not to. It is a war that should have never been started.... He could have settled it many times, and he chose not to. We said you can do whatever you want to, Russia, just do not hit the refineries, because that is a world problem that is caused." Trump accused Zelenskyy of ignoring those concerns and targeting facilities linked to diesel production. “What does he do? He goes and hits the diesel fuel,” Trump said. “He can do whatever he wants, but he can’t do that because we have a world problem. The problem is caused by the lack of refineries for diesel fuel... He is not going to affect our farmers, our ranches, and he is not going to affect the rest of the world. So he’d better stop.” On Saturday, Trump escalated his criticism by calling on Ukraine to “get a new leader”. His remarks followed Zelenskyy's criticism of Washington's decision to ease sanctions affecting Russian diesel supplies. The dispute comes as Trump faces growing pressure over fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections. Rising energy costs have become a political challenge for his Republican Party, which faces a difficult electoral outlook.

Trump Accuses Zelenskyy of Ignoring His Instructions

Trump announced on Friday that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said the two leaders had agreed that Russia would release large quantities of diesel onto international markets. Zelenskyy criticised the decision later that day, describing it as a “weak decision”. Trump responded by accusing the Ukrainian president of disregarding his instructions not to attack Russian refineries. He warned that such strikes could worsen fuel shortages at a time when the US-Israeli war on Iran had already created concerns about global energy supplies. “He better damn well stop,” Trump said. The US president also questioned Zelenskyy's ability to negotiate an agreement with Moscow. He argued that Ukraine needed a leader willing to make compromises to end the conflict. “I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal, because he could have made many deals that, for some reason, he never does,” Trump said. Trump maintained that Putin wanted to end the war and reach a settlement with Ukraine. “Russia would like to make a deal... but for whatever reason, Zelensky does not want to make a deal,” he said. “President Putin would like to see a settlement, strongly.” Trump also renewed his criticism of Ukraine for not holding an election since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. “I think he should have an election and he could have settled this thing many times,” Trump said.

European Allies Stand Behind Zelenskyy

European leaders pushed back against the suggestion that easing restrictions on Russian energy supplies would help resolve the conflict. Ukraine and its European partners warned that reducing economic pressure on Moscow could provide the Kremlin with additional resources to continue its military campaign. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas opposed easing sanctions on Russian diesel. She argued that such a move would help sustain Russia's war effort rather than encourage peace. “This is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe won’t,” she wrote online. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also reaffirmed his country's support for Ukraine during a telephone conversation with Zelenskyy. According to Downing Street, Burnham expressed his “complete solidarity” with the Ukrainian president. He also pledged that Britain would “strengthen its sanctions on Russia”, signalling continued support for efforts to pressure Moscow over the war. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga similarly defended Zelenskyy's position. He stressed that the Ukrainian people had the right to decide who should lead their country. “He has the support of the Ukrainian people, and they have the right to decid,” Sybiga said in a post on X.

Disagreement Over Sanctions and Peace Efforts

The latest exchange highlights growing differences between Washington and Kyiv over how to end the war and manage the economic consequences of the conflict. Trump has pressed Zelenskyy to pursue a settlement with Moscow and has criticised Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has challenged Washington's decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel supplies. European allies have continued to support Kyiv and oppose measures they believe could strengthen Russia's ability to wage war. The disagreement also places energy security at the centre of the diplomatic dispute. With fuel prices under pressure and the wider conflict in West Asia disrupting energy markets, decisions involving Russian oil and diesel supplies could have consequences beyond the battlefield.