Zelensky responds to Trump's statements about Ukraine's need for a "new leader"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Russia alone is responsible for the ongoing war in his country, following a debate that broke out between him and US President Donald Trump regarding a new agreement between the United States and Russia related to Russian diesel fuel. Zelensky had criticized the agreement concluded between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply the markets with Russian diesel, considering that it would lead to prolonging the war.

In contrast, Trump suggested that Ukraine needed a “new leader,” noting that Zelensky could have “ended this war many times over.” But Zelensky stressed that "the real cause of the war in Europe is Russia, and Russia alone," adding that Ukraine is ready to stop targeting Russian oil refineries if Moscow stops its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Zelensky said on Saturday: “It is possible to stop strikes on energy infrastructure starting today, but Putin does not want that.” He continued, "Ukraine will be prepared to stop its strikes on Russian oil refineries if Russia stops targeting our energy infrastructure."

On Friday, Trump announced that he had reached an agreement with Putin to supply the markets with Russian diesel fuel, as part of his efforts to reduce energy costs ahead of the midterm elections. Trump added that Putin had agreed to "immediately supply" more than 300,000 tons of diesel to global energy markets, with an additional 500,000 tons pledged in November.