Ukraine pushes back on Trump's call for new president; Russia welcomes it

Ukraine and Russia offered sharply contrasting reactions after US President Donald Trump said Saturday that "it's time for Ukraine to have a new president," in remarks directed at Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha pushed back on X, formerly Twitter, writing that "President Zelensky is leading the country during the war for independence, freedom and dignity" and that "he has the support of the Ukrainian people."

Sybiha added that "the Ukrainian people have the right to decide" and that "foreign statements only confirm that President Zelensky is doing his job well. He deserves support."

He also noted that Zelensky had held back-to-back meetings that day with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, stressing that "the support of our partners remains unwavering."

By contrast, Kirill Dmitriev, Vladimir Putin's special envoy for foreign investment and economic cooperation, welcomed Trump's remarks as "symbolic and historic."

Dmitriev wrote on X that Trump had "joined the many who believe Ukraine needs a leader focused on real peace, not Zelensky's warmongering." He also posted a composite image of a Time magazine cover featuring a photo of Zelensky with the word "Endgame."

Meanwhile, the Russian government said Saturday it would partially lift its ban on diesel exports under a diesel supply agreement reached between Putin and Trump, adding that "Russian oil companies will immediately begin delivering contracted diesel supplies abroad in coordination with the government."

Russia's Tass news agency, citing sources, reported that Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner could visit Moscow within two weeks.

Trump announced Saturday on Truth Social that he had reached a deal with Putin under which Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to US and global markets, with additional shipments to follow for a total of 4.8 million metric tons.

After Zelensky criticized the deal, Trump told reporters at the White House that Zelensky had missed multiple opportunities to end the war and said, "I think it's time for Ukraine to have a new president."