Trump says it is "time for Ukraine to get a new president" after Zelenskyy condemns the diesel deal with Russia
Mr. Trump said Ukraine should replace Volodymyr Zelenskyy as leader and blamed him for U.S. diesel prices, BBC, CTV News, Global News, Euronews and La Presse reported. Relayed by FinancialJuice, he said Ukraine needs an election and must avoid hitting refineries, and TVA Nouvelles reported he later said Mr. Putin would like a settlement. Mr. Zelenskyy had condemned the diesel arrangement after Russian strikes that killed 15 or 21 people, depending on the report. Reuters said the Kremlin called Friday's call very friendly, Germany said it keeps its sanctions, and the British government said Prime Minister Burnham and Mr. Zelenskyy will meet soon. Bloomberg said the deal is unlikely to lower U.S. prices.
A U.S. president publicly calling for another country's leader to go is rare, and it comes while Russia is easing a fuel export ban. Europe is moving the other way, toward more sanctions.
Fuel prices depend on global markets, so any real effect on Canadian pump prices is not yet shown.
Supporters of Mr. Trump's line say a new election could open a path to a settlement and that lower fuel prices help Americans.
Critics say it rewards Russia, undermines a wartime ally and weakens the sanctions that Europe is tightening.
Whether Mr. Zelenskyy meets Mr. Burnham and whether Moscow gives a concrete step on talks are the tests. Words alone have not lowered diesel prices.
DailyDrop Canada edition No. 7 · Morning · SUN., OCT. 11, 2026