Trump calls for Ukraine to 'get a new president', blames Zelenskyy for U.S. diesel prices

On October 10, 2026, President Trump told reporters that Ukraine needed a new leader, blaming President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for high U.S. diesel prices and claiming Zelenskyy had not done enough to end the war with Russia. Trump's comments came a day after he announced a deal to purchase Russian diesel, which Zelenskyy and European allies condemned as a gift to Vladimir Putin that would fund the war. Trump falsely attributed record diesel prices to Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries, while analysts pointed to the U.S.-led war in Iran as the primary driver. The remarks drew sharp rebukes from Ukraine's foreign minister, who said Zelenskyy had the support of the Ukrainian people, and from European leaders who reaffirmed their backing for Kyiv. The call echoed Trump's 2019 pressure campaign on Zelenskyy that led to his first impeachment.

“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason he never does.” Quote verified against source