US President Donald Trump has said it is time for Ukraine to elect a new president, arguing that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has failed to reach an agreement to end the war with Russia.
The Russia–Ukraine war has continued for more than four years, with countries including the United States, Turkey and India attempting to facilitate efforts to bring the conflict to an end.
The report also notes concerns in the US about a possible fuel shortage linked to a separate war involving Iran. In that context, Trump has signed an agreement to import diesel from Russia and lifted restrictions on Russia’s fuel exports to other countries.
Zelenskyy has criticised the move, saying the easing of restrictions would help Russia sustain the war for years. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump reiterated that the war would not have started if he had been president in 2022, cited heavy losses and displacement, and said Ukrainians should now choose new leadership.
In a separate statement, Zelenskyy said Russia was solely responsible for the war and called for Moscow to stop attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, adding that Ukraine would then halt strikes on Russian oil refineries and that any ceasefire must be mutual.
