US President Donald Trump don talk say e believe say na time for Ukraine to get new president. E yan dis one as e dey respond to President Volodymyr Zelensky criticism of di new US diesel deal with Russia. Zelensky warn say di deal to release millions of tonnes of Russian diesel into US go give Moscow money to continue war against Ukraine. E call am gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump tell reporters outside White House on Saturday say Zelensky ‘wants to make problems for the world’ by continuing to authorise attacks on Russian refineries. ‘He’d better damn well stop,’ Trump tok, before e suggest say Ukraine suppose ‘get a new leader who can make a deal’.
Global fuel supplies, including diesel, don dey severely limited because of di war against Iran wey US and Israel launch. Dat war lead to effective closure of Strait of Hormuz, where roughly one-fifth of world oil products dey pass. Russia, one major producer, and Ukraine don recently intensify strikes on each other energy infrastructure and transport facilities. Dis one further strain energy markets.
‘We said, you can do whatever you want to Russia, don’t hit the refineries, because that’s a world problem that’s caused,’ Trump continue. ‘He could have made many deals and for some reason, he never does.’ Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev describe Trump intervention as ‘iconic and historic’, saying Ukraine ‘needs leadership actually focused on peace’.
US president confirm on Friday say agreement don reach with Moscow to suspend sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April. Zelensky react by saying e go allow Moscow raise new funds to source new military equipment to continue war. E also accuse Moscow of taking di deal ‘to mean they can keep fighting, to mean they keep dropping bombs on cities’ following deadly new strikes on Zaporizhzhia.
Ukrainian president speak to several allies on Saturday to discuss latest developments. E call for ‘real decisions to protect lives in Ukraine’ and to protect European security. Downing Street spokesperson say UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham don speak to Zelensky and offer im ‘complete solidarity’. Di pair agree say Russia suppose acquiesce to ‘an immediate energy ceasefire’ and end attacks on shipping in Black Sea, according to di spokesperson. Di spokesperson say dis go immediately release more energy and food supplies into global market.
News of US-Russia diesel deal also meet criticism from EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas. She echo Zelensky, saying suspending sanctions ‘provides Moscow with more revenues to wage war’. She add say: ‘This is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe won’t.’ Kallas say European foreign ministers intend to approve biggest set of sanctions on Russia since start of full-scale invasion on Monday.
Di deal with Russia na latest effort from Trump to lower fuel prices in US ahead of midterm elections. E come after months wey e spend grappling with political consequences of Iran war. Dat conflict start in February and send cost of petrol and especially diesel skyrocketing. Dis one sour im standing with American public wey higher pump prices and knock-on effects don sting, leading to across-the-board inflation.
Average price of diesel currently na $6.28, or £4.74, a gallon, according to AAA. Dat one up from last month $5.94 average and $3.68 last year. Under di deal, Russia go release initial 300,000 tonnes of diesel ‘to the American and global marketplace’, followed by additional 500,000 tonnes in November. A further million go follow, Trump write on Truth Social, and then another 3m tonnes ‘within a short period of time’. But e note say dis delivery go dey ‘based on the condition of their diesel refineries’.
For past 10 months, Russia don experience two waves of severe fuel shortages across di country due to Ukrainian drones strikes on oil refineries. Diesel production in Russia drop by estimated 30%, according to International Energy Agency. Trump had already call for new elections in Ukraine last December, saying Ukrainian voters suppose get choice to replace Zelensky. Since war break out in 2022, Ukraine dey under martial law, meaning elections suspended.
