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President Donald Trump called on Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, escalating a dispute over a new American agreement to allow Russian diesel sales while the war against Ukraine continues.
Trump told reporters at the White House that Ukraine needed a “new president,” according to Reuters. He accused Zelenskyy of passing up chances for a settlement and demanded that Ukraine stop attacking Russian refineries. “He better damn well stop,” Trump said.
The confrontation followed Trump’s announcement Friday that he and President Vladimir Putin had agreed to bring Russian diesel onto American and international markets. Trump presented the arrangement as relief for consumers. Zelenskyy warned that it would give Moscow more resources to continue its invasion.
Zelenskyy’s stated alternative was a reciprocal halt to attacks on energy infrastructure. In a statement posted Friday, he said Ukraine would stop striking Russian refineries if Russia stopped destroying Ukrainian energy facilities.
The administration moved quickly to implement its side of the agreement. A Treasury Department license dated Oct. 9 permits transactions involving the sale, delivery and importation of Russian diesel, including shipments to the United States, until April 7, 2027. It retains a restriction on debiting certain Russian government accounts held at American financial institutions.
Trump said the initial supply would exceed 300,000 tons, with another 500,000 tons in November and a million more afterward, Sky News reported. He also outlined a further three million tons.
The agreement came during a fresh diplomatic effort. American, Ukrainian and European negotiators met in Miami on Friday to work toward a common peace proposal, Reuters reported, citing a person familiar with the discussions. American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner participated alongside European and NATO representatives.
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