US President Donald Trump has called for a change in Ukraine’s leadership and criticised Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, adding to tensions with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following a controversial diesel supply deal involving Russia.

US President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while criticising Kyiv’s attacks on Russian oil infrastructure.

The remarks come a day after Trump announced a diesel supply deal with Russia, an agreement that drew a sharp rebuke from Zelenskyy amid the ongoing war between the two countries.

Trump’s comments add to the strained relationship between Washington and Kyiv as Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022.

The dispute centres on Ukraine’s strikes against Russian energy facilities, which Kyiv has targeted as part of its campaign against Moscow’s war related infrastructure and revenue sources. Trump has criticised these operations, raising questions about the future direction of US support for Ukraine and the conditions Washington may seek in its dealings with both sides.

The reported diesel supply arrangement has also drawn attention because of the continuing conflict and the competing energy and security interests involved. Zelenskyy’s response reflects Kyiv’s concerns about agreements with Moscow while Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory continue.

Trump’s call for Ukraine to replace its leader introduces another point of friction between the two governments. Zelenskyy remains Ukraine’s wartime president, and any change in the country’s leadership would be a matter for Ukraine’s constitutional and political processes.

The latest exchange underscores the challenges facing efforts to reduce hostilities and negotiate an end to the war, with disagreements over energy infrastructure, Russian oil revenues and the terms of any potential settlement continuing to complicate relations.