Trump calls for Ukraine to replace Zelensky as president

President Trump on Saturday said the time has come for the Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky to be replaced because he claimed the Ukrainian leader is against ending the war with Russia.

“It's time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump said, alleging that Zelensky could have settled the conflict “many, many times" but had decided not to do so.

The president's remarks come after the U.S. inked a deal for importing diesel from Russia, which Zelensky criticised.

“Allowing Russia to sell fuel is an investment in war,” the Ukrainian president said in a statement on a social media post, claiming that the revenue will fund Moscow military campaigns.

In addition, attacks by Ukraine on Russian energy infrastructure have been hurting American farmers because they were affecting diesel supplies, said the president.

“I said to Zelensky, Do what you want; DON’T hit refineries,” he said, adding, “So what does he do? He goes and hits refineries.”

“He better damn well STOP,” the president stated.

Aside from Trump, Vadym Novynskyi, a former Ukrainian lawmaker, also called on Zelensky to resign and pursue direct talks with Moscow, according to RT.

Trump comes at a time when negotiations to end the war between Russia and Ukraine are at a standstill.