NRT briefing
Trump rips into Volodymyr Zelensky — insisting it’s time for Ukraine to ‘get a new president’
Based on reporting by New York Post.
The Brief
President Trump on Saturday criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, telling reporters outside the White House that it is time for Ukraine to “get a new president.” The comments came hours after the administration announced a deal for Russia to supply 300,000 metric tons of diesel to the U.S. and global markets. Trump described the arrangement as a direct response to Zelensky’s continued targeting of Russian oil refineries, despite Trump’s request to stop such attacks.
Trump said Zelensky “could have settled this war many times” and that the war “should have never been started.” He added that Zelensky “had better damned well stop” hitting refineries and that Ukraine should “get a new leader who can make a deal.” Trump was headed to Tennessee for a rally, and high diesel prices, topping $6 per gallon, are affecting farmers and consumers. The remarks were among the sharpest since the February 2025 Oval Office meeting. Meanwhile, a Russian air campaign killed at least 17 Ukrainians, prompting Zelensky to post on X that Russia sees eased sanctions as permission to continue fighting. Some Republicans, including Rep. Michael McCaul, criticized the diesel deal for funding Moscow's war machine. Trump’s press secretary, Katie Zacharia, defended the deal as delivering “solutions.”
NRT commentary
How We See It
President Trump’s blunt call for a new Ukrainian leader underscores his frustration with a war that grinds on with no end in sight, even as American families struggle with high fuel and food costs. While his tone may be divisive, the underlying question is whether continued fighting serves Ukraine’s interests or merely prolongs suffering. Trump is clearly prioritizing U.S. economic relief, but the trade-off is whether engaging Russia on energy undermines the broader pressure campaign that could eventually compel a settlement.
Conservatives may welcome a pragmatic approach that eases burdens at the pump, but they must also weigh the moral hazard of dealing with an aggressor. The diesel deal risks signaling that Vladimir Putin can profit from his invasion, potentially encouraging further escalation. The White House defends the arrangement as a solution, but it must be paired with robust support for Ukraine's defense and a credible strategy to bring the war to a just end. Otherwise, short-term relief may come at a strategic cost.
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