Zelenskyy said the deal, which would allow millions of tonnes of Russian diesel to enter the US market, would provide Moscow with additional revenue to continue its war in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday as he left the White House, Trump accused Zelenskyy of “wanting to cause problems for the world” by continuing to allow Ukrainian forces to attack Russian oil refineries.
Trump urged Zelenskyy to halt the attacks and said Ukraine needed a new leader who could reach an agreement to end the war.
“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump said.
He also accused Zelenskyy of failing to pursue a negotiated settlement, claiming that the Ukrainian leader had been presented with numerous opportunities to reach an agreement but had failed to take advantage of them.
“He could have made a lot of deals, but for some reason, he never does,” Trump said.
In recent days, Russia and Ukraine have intensified their attacks on each other, as disagreements over the diesel deal continue between US and Ukrainian officials.
On Friday, Trump confirmed that the United States and Russia had agreed to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7.
Zelenskyy argued that easing the restrictions would provide Russia with additional funds to purchase military equipment and sustain its war effort.
Following fresh attacks that killed people in Zaporizhzhia, he accused Moscow of interpreting the agreement as permission to continue fighting and launching strikes on cities.
On Saturday, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also backed Zelenskyy’s position, criticizing the decision to ease the sanctions.
Kallas said the move “gives Moscow more money to continue the war.”
“This is not the time to ease restrictions on Russia, and Europe will not do so,” she said.
She added that European foreign ministers were expected to approve, on Monday, the toughest package of sanctions against Russia since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The agreement allowing Russia to sell diesel on the US market and elsewhere around the world is among the measures Trump has pursued to lower fuel prices in the United States ahead of the midterm elections.
