Trump: Ukraine Needs New President Who Can Make Deal

President Donald Trump on Saturday, 10 October 2026, escalated his feud with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, declaring it was 'time for Ukraine to get a new president' who could strike a deal to end the war with Russia. The remarks came a day after Trump announced a controversial agreement to import Russian diesel, a move Kyiv and European allies condemned as funding Moscow's war machine.

What Did Trump Say About Zelensky?

Speaking to reporters before a rally in Tennessee, Trump said Ukraine's leader must be someone who can make a deal, something that Zelensky for some reason never does. Trump also repeated his claim that the war never would have started if he had been president, calling it the result of incompetence. His latest attack ignored a key legal reality: Ukraine's constitution prohibits holding elections while martial law is in force. The Trump Zelensky relationship has been strained since a disastrous White House meeting in February 2025.

Why Can't Ukraine Hold Elections During War?

Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Under Article 108 of the Ukrainian constitution, President Zelensky remains in office because martial law suspends elections. Zelensky's five-year term technically expired in May 2024, but both Ukraine's parliament and a majority of voters have backed postponing the vote until the war ends. An August 2026 poll found 57% of Ukrainians want elections only after the war. Zelensky himself has warned a wartime vote would be a tsunami that could destroy and split the country. Ukraine's wartime election rules have become a central point in US pressure campaigns, with Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin both pushing for a vote.

The US-Russia Diesel Deal That Sparked the Feud

Trump's outburst came one day after he announced the US would import Russian diesel under a deal with Putin. Russia is to supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel immediately, rising to 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons thereafter, according to US officials. The White House says the move is designed to lower US fuel prices, which have surged since Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. Diesel hit a record $6.52 per gallon, angering American voters ahead of the 3 November midterm elections. Zelensky called the deal absolutely terrible, arguing it directly funds Russia's war effort. He cited a Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia that killed at least 17 people as proof that easing sanctions does not bring peace.

Reactions and What Comes Next

Kyiv has signaled it will not stop striking Russian oil infrastructure, which Ukraine says is a legitimate way to hit Moscow's war economy. Zelensky has said Ukraine will only halt attacks on Russia's oil sector if Russia stops its aerial bombardment of Ukrainian cities. The dispute echoes Zelensky's disastrous White House visit in February 2025, when a meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance collapsed into a shouting match. Trump told Zelensky then: Either you make a deal, or we wash our hands of it. Zelensky left without signing a planned minerals agreement. Trump's Ukraine peace strategy now faces fresh scrutiny from both parties, with even some Republicans criticizing the diesel deal as a concession to Putin. As the midterms approach, fuel prices and the Ukraine war are likely to dominate the political conversation.

FAQ

Why does Trump want a new Ukrainian president?

Trump argues Zelensky has failed to end the war and that a new leader could negotiate a deal with Russia. He has repeated this claim despite Ukraine's constitutional ban on wartime elections.

Can Ukraine hold elections during the war?

No. Ukraine's constitution and martial law, in force since February 2022, prohibit elections during wartime. Zelensky legally remains in office.

What is the US-Russia diesel deal?

On 9 October 2026, Trump announced the US would import Russian diesel, starting with over 300,000 tons, to lower fuel prices before the midterms. Critics say it funds Russia's war.

How has Zelensky responded?

Zelensky called the diesel deal absolutely terrible and accused Russia of answering eased sanctions with a deadly strike on Zaporizhzhia.

When are the US midterm elections?

The US midterm elections are on 3 November 2026. High fuel prices and the Ukraine war are key issues.