Trump lifts Russia sanctions, urges Zelensky to step down
Trump struck a deal to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports and called for Zelensky's replacement over Ukraine's energy strikes.
On Friday, US President Trump announced a deal to buy Russian diesel. He lifted sanctions imposed after the invasion.
On Saturday, he escalated further. He told reporters Zelensky should step down.
He said Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries caused global diesel shortages. 'He could have settled this war many times,' Trump said.
'Time for Ukraine to get a new president.' The move marks arguably the lowest point in US-Ukraine ties since Trump and Zelensky's contentious Oval Office meeting in February 2025.
Former Vice President Mike Pence called the diesel deal 'weak'. He said it gave Putin a lifeline during a war he is losing.
- Russian diesel exports
- Sanctions lifted on
- February 2025
- Previous tense meeting
- Called the diesel deal weak
- Pence's assessment
Why it mattersSignals a dramatic shift in US policy toward Russia and Ukraine, with major implications for the war's trajectory and international sanctions strategy.
AustraliaChanges US approach to the Ukraine conflict, affecting global fuel prices and Australia's regional allies in the US-led order.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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