Trump launches an attack on Zelensky...and demands his departure

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The day after his call with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump launched, on Saturday, a sharp attack on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of obstructing reaching an agreement to end the war with Russia, and demanding that Ukraine choose a new president, in a new escalation of American pressure on Kiev.

Trump said that Zelensky could have settled the war many times, but chose not to, adding that "the Ukrainian president wants to cause problems for the United States and the world by targeting Russian oil refineries."

Trump also added, in statements to reporters before his departure for Clarksville, Tennessee, that Zelensky “can do whatever he wants, but he cannot target oil refineries,” before demanding that he stop these attacks immediately.

Trump addressed the Ukrainian people, saying: “I suggest that they choose a new leader so they can reach an agreement,” adding that it is time for Ukraine to have a new president.

In a separate context, Trump commented on the situation in Iran, saying: “We will study the matter,” without providing additional details regarding the nature of the action that his administration might take.

Trump's statements came after he decided to conclude a diesel supply agreement with Russia, after Zelensky ignored about six American requests to stop targeting Russian refineries, according to what Axios reported, citing a US official with direct knowledge of the discussions.

While the agreement between Trump and Putin sparked a new crisis between Washington and Kiev, while Zelensky said that he was surprised by the agreement, describing it as “unfair and dishonest,” considering that it represents an unjustified gift to Putin.

While these developments coincided with reports of the possibility of American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner heading to Moscow during the next two weeks, as part of American efforts to reach an agreement to end the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Friday that the American envoys are welcome in Moscow, and that Putin is ready to meet them. He added that his country is ready to listen to the ideas and proposals that the two negotiators are discussing with the Ukrainian side in the United States, if they decide to present them to the Russian leadership.