Trump urges Zelensky’s ouster following deadly Russian strike killing 20 in Ukraine

WASHINGTON, 11 OCTOBER 2026 —

US President Donald Trump’s Call for Zelenskiy’s Removal and Diesel Sanctions Deal Sparks Global Tensions as Russian Strikes Kill 20 in Ukraine

The move has deepened divisions in Western support for Ukraine and raised concerns over escalating civilian casualties amid stalled peace talks.

Trump’s remarks, made during a White House press briefing on Saturday, framed Zelenskiy’s leadership as a barrier to peace, while the diesel sanctions relief—designed to ease global fuel prices ahead of US midterm elections—has been met with sharp criticism from Kyiv. The timing of the announcement, coinciding with high-level diplomatic discussions in Miami, has further strained efforts to broker a ceasefire, with Ukrainian officials accusing Trump of undermining their negotiating position.

The Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia on Saturday marked the third mass-casualty attack in Ukraine this week, following deadly missile strikes on Kramatorsk (30 killed) and Pryluky (22 killed) earlier in the week. A six-year-old girl was among the fatalities in Zaporizhzhia, where a residential apartment building was reduced to rubble.

The Russian government confirmed the partial lifting of its diesel export ban, a measure intended to reduce Moscow’s war financing revenue but which critics argue will indirectly benefit Russia’s military efforts.

Trump’s criticism of Zelenskiy’s strategy has centered on Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, which he claims contribute to global energy price volatility. “I said to him, ‘Do what you want. Don’t hit refineries. There’s plenty of targets. Don’t hit refineries,’” Trump told reporters.

“He better damn well stop.” Zelenskiy responded by condemning the diesel sanctions relief, stating, “Today, Russia said thank you for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia.”

The sanctions, imposed in October 2025, were part of Western efforts to curb Russia’s ability to fund its invasion of Ukraine. Their relaxation follows a surge in global fuel prices due to US-Iran tensions, creating political pressure on Trump’s administration ahead of the November midterm elections.

Ukrainian officials, including presidential aide Dmytro Lytvyn, described the timing of the deal as “surprising,” as Kyiv’s delegation was still in Miami for peace negotiations when the announcement was made.

Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict remain fragile. Putin, in a phone call with Trump on Friday, ruled out an immediate resumption of peace talks, citing continued Ukrainian drone strikes on Moscow. Meanwhile, US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are reportedly set to travel to Moscow within the next two weeks, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

The visit could signal a shift in Washington’s approach, though Zelenskiy’s office has not yet commented on the potential discussions.

Ukraine’s government has called for a complete halt to energy infrastructure strikes by both sides, as Russian attacks continue to cripple Ukraine’s power grid. The latest violence underscores the human cost of stalled diplomacy, with civilian casualties rising even as high-level negotiations proceed. The situation in Ukraine remains fluid, with Trump’s intervention further complicating the geopolitical landscape ahead of critical elections and regional energy markets.