Trump Zelensky diesel row intensifies as Russian strikes leave 21 dead
US President Donald Trump called on Saturday for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following sharp criticism over Washington’s decision to ease Russian diesel sanctions. The diplomatic fallout unfolded as a wave of Russian airstrikes across Ukraine killed at least 21 people, including multiple children.
Trump defended an agreement allowing increased Russian diesel onto global markets, asserting the move aims to curb soaring domestic energy costs ahead of upcoming midterm elections. The US president accused Zelenskyy of blocking a potential peace settlement with Moscow and ignoring directives to halt drone strikes against Russian oil refineries. Zelenskyy condemned the sanctions relief on Friday as a weak decision, prompting Trump to suggest Kyiv requires new leadership capable of negotiating a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The clash coincided with a deadly Russian glide bomb attack on residential buildings in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, which killed 20 people, including three children, according to Ukraine’s state rescue service. A separate Russian drone strike in the central Dnipropetrovsk region killed an 11-year-old boy, while strikes in Kyiv caused widespread power outages.
European allies swiftly rallied behind Kyiv. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that lifting sanctions would sustain Russia‘s war effort, while UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged continued solidarity and strengthened British sanctions. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga also voiced support for his president.
The diplomatic crisis followed high-level talks in Miami involving US envoy Steve Witkoff, the E3, the European Commission, Ukraine, and NATO aimed at finding a framework to conclude the conflict before winter.
