Trump says Ukraine needs a new president; Zelenskyy offers to stop refinery strikes if Russia stops hitting energy sites
President Trump said on 10 October that it was time for Ukraine to get a new president, after Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised his Russian diesel deal (BBC, Reuters, Evening Standard, Rappler). Elon Musk backed Trump's call (Kyiv Post), and the Kremlin welcomed the idea of a Ukrainian election. Reports put the toll from Russian strikes that day at 15 to 21. On Sunday Zelenskyy said Ukraine would stop hitting Russian refineries if Russia stops attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure, as long as steps are mutual and backed by guarantees (Reuters, The Straits Times, Kyiv Post, Ukrainska Pravda). Wes Streeting said the UK does not support the diesel deal (BBC).
The dispute exposes a split inside the Western alliance over how to end the war and over fuel prices before the US midterm elections.
Fuel prices are the link: New Zealand imports all its refined fuel, and an energy truce in Ukraine would cut risk to Russian supply.
Trump and his allies argue Ukraine's refinery strikes push up diesel prices and prolong the war.
Ukraine and several European governments say the strikes answer Russian attacks on Ukrainian power and fuel sites.
Zelenskyy's offer is conditional, but it hands the argument back to Moscow: an energy truce is on the table. Watch whether Russia answers.
DailyDrop New Zealand edition No. 8 · Morning · MON., OCT. 12, 2026