President Trump escalated his public feud with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, defending his administration's decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel and suggesting that Ukraine would be better served by a leader willing to negotiate an end to the war.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump said Zelensky "could have settled this war many times" but "chose not to," adding that the Ukrainian leader "wants to make problems for the world" by targeting Russian fuel exports.
The president's remarks came in response to Ukraine's recent strikes on Russian oil refineries, which have disrupted global diesel supplies and contributed to rising fuel prices. Trump said his administration had warned Zelensky not to "hit the diesel fuel," but the Ukrainian leader ignored the request.
When asked whether the decision to resume Russian diesel imports could leave Ukrainians more exposed to Russian attacks, Trump replied, "I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal."
The deal, announced Friday, allows Russia to supply 300,000 tons of diesel to the U.S. and global markets. It is part of the president's broader effort to address soaring energy costs, which have been exacerbated by U.S. military operations against Iran and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Zelensky, in a post on X, warned that the deal would embolden Russia, saying, "Every additional billion dollars they can earn from exports will be spent on nothing but sourcing and importing critical components and equipment to manufacture weapons, upgrading 'shaheds,' producing missiles, and recruiting even more mercenaries to fight at the front." He added, "Russia's choice is war. And they will be ready to end it only when they feel that their ability to drag the war out is diminishing."
Democratic lawmakers quickly condemned the move. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump of striking "a deal with the devil" to rescue his "flailing political fortunes," writing on X, "This filthy deal will only aid and abet the same Putin who is helping the Iranians to target and try to kill American troops in the Middle East and who illegally and viciously invaded our ally Ukraine."
Pennsylvania Rep. Madeleine Dean called the decision a "desperate" attempt by Trump to "escape the consequences of his failed Iran war," adding, "Trump is preparing to stab Ukraine in the back and buy diesel from Putin. He's helping fund Russia's war machine, while our allies pay the price."
The president has faced mounting pressure over energy prices, and the diesel deal is part of his broader strategy to stabilize markets. However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from both Kyiv and congressional Democrats, who argue it undermines U.S. support for Ukraine and rewards Russian aggression.
The administration has not yet responded to the latest criticism, but Trump's suggestion that Ukraine seek new leadership signals a deepening rift between Washington and Kyiv over how to end the conflict.
