President Donald Trump said Ukraine needs a new leader and urged Kyiv to stop striking Russian refineries, following a US-Russia agreement to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April. The comments came as President Volodymyr Zelensky warned the deal would fund Moscow’s war effort.

Under the agreement, Russia will release an initial 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the American and global marketplace, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November. Trump noted on Truth Social that another 1 million tonnes would follow, with 3m tonnes delivered soon once refinery conditions allow. The arrangement marks Trump’s latest effort to lower US fuel prices before the midterm elections, after months of rising costs linked to the conflict with Iran.

Zelensky pushed back immediately, telling reporters the deal would give Russia fresh money to buy military equipment. He also warned Moscow would interpret the pause as permission to keep bombing Ukrainian cities, citing recent strikes on Zaporizhzhia. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke with Zelensky on Saturday and pledged "complete solidarity". The two leaders agreed Russia must accept an immediate energy ceasefire and halt attacks on Black Sea shipping to stabilize global food and energy supplies. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas echoed the criticism, stating the sanctions pause provides Moscow with more revenues to wage war. She confirmed European foreign ministers plan to approve the largest new sanctions package since the full-scale invasion began on Monday.

Global fuel markets remain tight after the US and Israel launched a war against Iran in February, effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries a fifth of the world's oil products. Strikes on cross-border energy infrastructure have further strained supplies. Russian diesel production fell by an estimated 30% over the past 10 months after Ukrainian drone attacks triggered severe domestic shortages. The average US diesel price now sits at $6.28 (£4.74) a gallon, up from $5.94 last month and $3.68 last year, according to the AAA.

Ukraine has operated under martial law since the 2022 invasion, suspending all elections. Trump previously called for new polls in December, arguing Ukrainian voters should choose a different leader. Putin's envoy Kirill Dmitriev welcomed Trump’s recent remarks, calling them historic and insisting the country needs leadership focused on peace.