President Donald Trump stated on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, that Ukraine should seek a new president, suggesting Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not done enough to resolve the conflict with Russia. Trump attributed high U.S. diesel prices to Zelenskyy’s refusal to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, alleging the Ukrainian leader "wants to make problems" for American farmers and ranchers. These remarks followed Trump’s announcement on Friday that he had secured a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to import Russian diesel.
The agreement comes amid a deadlock in the 4 1/2-year war and high energy costs linked to a U.S.-led war in Iran. Trump stated that Russia will immediately supply 300,000 tons of diesel, with another 500,000 tons scheduled for November, followed by 1 million tons and an additional 3 million tons shortly thereafter. This move follows a Russia sanctions law Trump signed last month intended to restrict Moscow's oil and gas revenue.
President Zelenskyy and Ukrainian officials criticized the diesel deal, characterizing it as an investment that helps bankroll Moscow’s military efforts. Zelenskyy stated that Russia would repay the easing of sanctions with "further terror," noting that the deal was announced while his representatives were meeting with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Miami to discuss peace proposals. According to Zelenskyy, the timing suggested his team was being used as a "smoke screen."
On the same day as Trump's comments, Russian aerial bombs struck residential buildings in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region. Ukrainian officials reported varying casualty counts, with the State Emergency Service citing at least 20 deaths, while regional military administration head Mykhailo Semikin reported 11 killed, including three children. The strikes also wounded at least 16 to 18 people. Zelenskyy argued the attacks proved that Moscow interprets any easing of pressure as permission to continue its military campaign.
The deal also marks a shift in U.S. foreign policy regarding international sanctions. One month ago, a sanctions law was enacted to curb Russian energy revenues; this new agreement reverses those restrictions. For the millions of Ukrainians living in conflict zones, this shift signals a potential reduction in U.S. economic pressure on Moscow. Critics, including Ukrainian leadership, suggest this sets a precedent where energy prices are prioritized over the diplomatic isolation of Russia, potentially extending the duration of the war.
What happens next depends on the delivery timeline and the political response in Washington. The first shipment of 300,000 tons is expected immediately, with a cumulative total of nearly 5 million tons planned for the coming months. Lawmakers have already begun reacting to the news, with some characterizing the deal as a "betrayal." The impact on U.S. diesel prices is expected to be monitored through the November election cycle, while the U.S. envoys continue discussions in Miami regarding the war's conclusion.