World · Europe · 13 hrs ago
Trump’s call for Ukraine to choose a new leader alarms Zelensky’s advisers
US President Donald Trump said Ukraine should choose a new leader who can make a deal.
He also said Volodymyr Zelensky could have ended the conflict with Russia but had chosen not to.
The remarks surprised people close to Zelensky, according to German journalist Paul Ronzheimer.
One adviser told Ronzheimer they had not expected the comments.
The main concern in Kyiv is that Washington could completely halt cooperation between US and Ukrainian intelligence agencies.
The comments came as attention was expected to turn to Ukraine during the campaign for US congressional midterm elections.
The sources do not say what the US or Ukraine will do next.
US President Donald Trump said Ukraine should find a new leader who can make a deal.
The remarks surprised and alarmed advisers to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, according to journalist Paul Ronzheimer.
A close adviser told Ronzheimer they had expected attention to return to Ukraine during the US midterm election campaign but were not prepared for Trump’s remarks.
The advisers’ main concern was that Washington might completely halt intelligence cooperation, Ronzheimer said.
Trump also said Zelensky could have ended the conflict with Russia many times but preferred not to.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump called for Ukraine to choose a new leader. Zelensky’s advisers were reported to be shocked and concerned.
- What
- Trump said Ukraine should find a new leader who can make a deal.
- When
- October 11, 2026. The article does not give the date of Trump’s remarks.
- Where
- Trump’s remarks were reported from Washington; the advisers’ concerns were in Kiev.
- Why
- Trump said Zelensky could have ended the conflict with Russia many times but preferred not to. The sources do not state another reason for the call.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Zelensky’s advisers are shocked and speechless over the news from Washington.
We understood that during the campaign leading up to the midterm elections [for the US Congress], attention would once again be focused on us. But we weren’t prepared for this,
a new leader who can make a deal
Trump told reporters Zelensky could have ended the conflict with Russia many times but preferred not to, and said it was time for Ukraine to change its president.
Paul Ronzheimer reported that Zelensky’s advisers were shocked by Trump’s remarks and concerned about a possible halt to intelligence cooperation.
- US president
- Donald Trump
- Ukrainian president
- Vladimir Zelensky
- Journalist
- Paul Ronzheimer, Bild deputy editor-in-chief
- Advisers’ concern
- Possible complete halt to intelligence cooperation with Washington
- Publication date
- October 11, 2026
Sources
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