Symbolic imageTrump calls for new Ukrainian president after Putin diesel deal
Trump said on Saturday that Ukraine needs a new leader and must stop striking Russian refineries. Talks with Kyiv in Miami ended early.
Outside the White House on Saturday, 10 October, Trump told Kyiv to stop striking Russian refineries, a "world problem", and said Ukraine should find a leader "who could make a deal". He later added that Zelensky should hold elections, which Handelsblatt notes the constitution rules out in wartime. The remarks followed a Friday call with Putin and an announced diesel deal, starting with 300,000 tonnes. According to Meduza, the Treasury issued a temporary licence until 7 April 2027 exempting Russian diesel from sanctions.
Miami talks cut short
The talks ended earlier than planned. Axios, citing an unnamed Ukrainian negotiator, reports that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner threatened on Friday to cut Ukraine off from US intelligence if refinery strikes go on. The Financial Times also reports a US warning.
Kyiv and Europe object
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X that Ukrainians have the right to decide for themselves. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chair of the European Parliament's defence committee, said Trump sided with the "murderer". Bild reports that Zelensky's advisers fear most that intelligence sharing will end.
Russian attacks continue
Zelensky said Russia answered the diesel deal with five glide bombs on homes in Zaporizhzhia. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported eight injured in an evening strike on Kyiv.