US President Donald Trump has labeled Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s criticism of a recent US-Russia diesel agreement as a distraction from peace efforts, urging the leader to prioritize negotiations over public disputes.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump claimed both Moscow and Kyiv support an immediate energy ceasefire he announced on Sunday. However, neither Russia nor Ukraine has confirmed the truce.
“I think they want to make a deal, but they don’t know how,” Trump said. “But we’re going to get them to make a deal.” He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin is more eager than Zelensky to reach a resolution to end the conflict.
Trump also rejected criticism of his decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel following a phone call with Putin on Friday, stating the agreement benefits global economies and American farmers.
“Zelensky has to focus on making a deal, not talking about that,” Trump stressed, referring to the Ukrainian leader’s objections to the diesel deal.
On Sunday, Trump announced an “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine. Zelensky described the announcement as “news for me” but expressed readiness to halt attacks on Russian refineries if Moscow ceased strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to confirm the agreement, noting ongoing contacts. Peskov emphasized that Russia seeks long-term peace rather than a temporary ceasefire and warned that any truce would only strengthen Ukraine’s military position.
Reports indicate that Ukrainian officials were informed of the US-Russia diesel deal during tense negotiations in Miami. The US delegation demanded an immediate halt to strikes on Russian refineries, and when Kiev’s representatives asked for concessions, Washington reportedly argued it had already provided substantial assistance, including intelligence sharing.
Following his conversation with Putin and Zelensky’s public reaction to the diesel deal, Trump suggested that “it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.” Zelensky’s presidential term expired over two years ago, but he has refused to hold elections under martial law. Russia has declared Zelensky “illegitimate,” citing his legal status as a major obstacle to peace.
After a sharp exchange with Trump, Zelensky signaled readiness to hold an election but demanded a 60-day ceasefire with Russia. Moscow responded that if Kyiv genuinely seeks elections, the Russian president would issue orders to halt strikes on election day.