Trump calls for Zelensky to step aside; Kyiv pushes back

· Politics · United States · Ukraine

US President Donald Trump escalated pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling for new leadership in Kyiv and demanding an end to Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, according to Bloomberg. Trump told reporters at the White House that he had told Zelensky to "do what you want" but criticized him over strikes on Russian oil refineries that have contributed to high diesel prices ahead of the US midterm elections. Zelensky said only Russia was responsible for the war and pushed back on Trump's call for a new Ukrainian president. Germany's foreign minister said Berlin remained by Ukraine's side.

Why it matters：US pressure on Kyiv's leadership and its strikes on Russian energy infrastructure could reshape allied support for Ukraine and the war's trajectory.

Key points

  • Trump called for new leadership in Kyiv and criticized Ukrainian refinery strikes.
  • Zelensky said only Russia was responsible for the war.
  • Germany's foreign minister said Berlin remains by Ukraine's side.

Sources (original reporting)

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