Trump suggests replacing Zelensky as Ukraine leader

• He stated that Ukraine's current leadership could have struck multiple deals previously to avoid the war but failed to do so.
• He pointed out the severe toll of the conflict, noting that Ukraine has lost roughly 30% of its land and citing millions of total casualties across both sides. 

Speaking to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House on Saturday, US President Donald Trump called directly for a change in leadership in Kyiv.

Responding to a journalist’s question regarding ongoing Russian rocket strikes and the continued suffering of the Ukrainian populace, Trump argued that Ukraine's failure to secure a negotiated settlement lies with its leadership.

"I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal," Trump said, asserting that missed diplomatic opportunities had prolonged the conflict. 

He went on to emphasize that under his administration, the conflict would not have taken place. "If I were president, you wouldn't have ever had that war. That war would have never started. There was no reason that that war with Ukraine and Russia started. It started due to incompetence. It should have never started. You wouldn't have lost 30% of your country already," he added, citing severe casualty rates and territory losses as evidence of the conflict's devastating toll.

Trump concluded his remarks by reiterating his stance that a change in Ukraine's executive leadership is necessary to bring an end to the hostilities.

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