Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired back on Sunday at American leaders who blame him for the continuation of the Russia-Ukraine war, telling ABC News' This Week that his critics "can't find a key how to stop Putin." The remarks came one day after US President Donald Trump said Ukraine should "get a new leader who can make a deal," capping a dramatic weekend feud between Washington and Kyiv over a US-Russia diesel deal.
What Zelenskyy said on "This Week"
During the interview, host Jonathan Karl noted that Trump was not the only one calling for new Ukrainian leadership, pointing to Elon Musk, who had posted that "Zelensky has gone too far" and that it was "time for Ukraine to get a new leader." Karl asked: "Why are they blaming you for the continuation of this war?"
Zelenskyy answered that it is simply easier to pressure Ukraine than to confront Russia directly: "Because these people can't find a key how to stop Putin. Because it's more difficult to stop Putin than to pressure others. Because it's more simple to speak about the prices and connect it with Ukraine."
The Ukrainian president disputed the claim that Ukraine is responsible for rising fuel prices, saying price increases come from the war in the Middle East and the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz. "Don't play games with people," he added, saying people have to hear reality.
Trump's call for a new Ukrainian leader
On Saturday, Trump told reporters that Zelensky "could have settled this war" many times but "chooses not to," adding: "I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal." He blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for raising US diesel prices and told Zelensky he had "better damn well stop" the attacks.
The criticism followed Trump's announcement that the US would ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports — a move Zelenskyy had called "weak," warning it would hand Putin billions in extra revenue to wage war "even more intensely."
Responding on ABC, Zelenskyy said the choice of Ukraine's president belongs to Ukrainians: "With all respect to President Trump, it's up to our society, up to our people to choose one or another leader." He added that Putin, too, has long wanted Ukraine's president changed.
A 60-day ceasefire offer and a disputed "energy ceasefire"
Zelenskyy said Ukraine could organize elections if Russia agreed to a total 60-day ceasefire: "Give us two months, 60 days off. Total ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organize elections." Ukraine's constitution bars elections under martial law, which has been in place since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
He also said Ukraine is ready to stop striking Russian refineries if Russia stops attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure — a deal he said needs "real guarantees." On Sunday, Trump announced on social media that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an "energy ceasefire," but offered no details. Zelenskyy said Ukraine supports the idea and is awaiting details from the US, while Russia did not immediately comment. Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy targets continued on Sunday.
Trump's diesel decision drew criticism in Washington as well. A bipartisan group of seven senators, including Republicans Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, said the US "should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians."
Takeaway
The public clash marks the sharpest US-Ukraine rupture in over a year. With Trump pressing Kyiv from one side and Musk from another, Zelenskyy has reframed the dispute around a single question: whether his critics can actually get Putin to stop — or whether they are simply pressuring the easier target.
Watch: ABC News' Steven Portnoy reports on Trump's announced diesel deal with Russia, Russia's projected oil supply, and Trump's suggestion of elections in Ukraine, covering Zelenskyy's response on This Week.
Music in this post's reel: Kevin MacLeod - Hitman (incompetech.com), licensed under CC BY 3.0