President Donald Trump has demanded that Volodymyr Zelensky be replaced as Ukraine's president, claiming the leader has failed to "settle" the war with Russia.
Speaking as he left the White House for a political rally in Texas, Trump said: "I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal," adding that "for some reason [Zelensky] never does."
Deal with Putin draws accusations of betrayal
The remarks follow accusations that Trump betrayed Ukraine after striking a deal with Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel to the US, in a bid to drive down fuel prices ahead of next month's Midterm elections.
Asked whether he was concerned the deal would prolong the war, Trump said: "I see it a little differently. Zelensky could have settled this war many times...and he chooses not to." Zelensky "settling" the war, as Trump puts it, would involve ceding territory illegally invaded by Russia.
Trump warns Zelensky on refinery strikes
Trump went on to criticise Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries, saying: "We said 'you can do whatever you want to Russia, don't hit the refineries, because that's a world problem that's caused."
In an apparent bid to link Ukraine's self-defence to the Midterm elections, in which his Republican Party is expected to suffer heavy losses, Trump added: "He wants to make problems for the world. He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers, with diesel fuel. Because Russia supplies the diesel fuel throughout the world. And we told him 'do whatever you want, but don't hit the diesel fuel...and what does he do? He goes and hits refineries. He'd better damn well stop."
UK reiterates support for Ukraine
Meanwhile, a Downing Street spokesperson said Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke with President Zelensky today and reiterated the UK's support for Ukraine. The spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister began by recognising the last 24 hours had been difficult for Ukraine and reiterated his complete solidarity.
"The two leaders next discussed the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia: the Prime Minister made it clear that the UK would continue to strengthen its sanctions on Russia and to take further action to constrain the Russian war machine, building on new UK designations against Russian targets announced this week.
"They underlined that Russia should agree to an immediate energy ceasefire, ending its brutal strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and its attacks on shipping in the Black Sea. This would immediately release more energy and food supplies into the global market.
"The two leaders agreed to meet in person in the coming days to continue their discussion."
Asked about the daily suffering of the Ukrainian people from Russian rocket attacks, Trump said: "I agree with you. Do you know what I suggest? I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal."
He added: "You've lost 30% of your country and you've had over a million people killed. Between the two of them over 2m people killed. That's a war that should have never started, and I think it's time for Ukraine to get a new President."
