Trump Calls for a New Ukrainian Leader and Blames Kyiv's Refinery Strikes for High US Diesel Prices

US President Donald Trump said at the White House on Saturday 10 October 2026 (18 Mehr 1405) that Ukraine should get "a new leader who can make a deal", adding that he believes Volodymyr Zelenskyy "never" does. Trump has cited Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries as one reason for record US diesel prices ahead of the midterm elections, and has urged Kyiv for weeks to stop targeting Russian energy infrastructure.

The remarks came a day after Trump announced, on Friday 9 October 2026 (17 Mehr 1405), a deal with Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel, with the US Treasury issuing a temporary general licence to let it reach global markets. Zelenskyy said the deal eases pressure on Moscow and that Russia answered the lifting of sanctions by bombing Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine's foreign minister said Zelenskyy has the support of the Ukrainian people and that they have the right to decide. Kyiv's European allies have expressed dismay at the deal and said they stand by their sanctions commitments.

For energy markets, the dispute shows Washington looking to Russia for extra supply while the war with Iran keeps fuel prices high; the effect of the deal on global crude and diesel prices is not yet clear.