Buenos Aires, October 11, 2026. The Argentine press views the episode as another step in the rapprochement between Washington and Moscow. La Nación headlines that Donald Trump "targets Zelensky and consolidates his rapprochement with Moscow," and notes that the call for a change in leadership followed the agreement on Friday with Vladimir Putin on the purchase of Russian diesel by the United States.

According to the newspaper, Trump stated on Saturday at the White House that it was time for Ukraine to have a new president, suggesting a leader "who can conclude an agreement." He reproaches Zelensky for not having done enough to end the war and holds him responsible for the rise in diesel prices. La Nación recalls that these statements are among the most explicit from the American president against the Ukrainian cause, and that Trump has been pressing Kiev for weeks to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.

Perfil emphasizes the grievance of the refineries. Trump claims to have given Zelensky the freedom to strike Russia, except for these sites: "I told him to do what he wanted against Russia, but not to attack the refineries," and then warned that Zelensky would do better to stop. He links these strikes to supply tensions and price increases, with Russia being a major supplier of diesel. He also mentions American farmers and livestock breeders.

The two media outlets place the agreement in its electoral and energy context. La Nación emphasizes that Trump is trying to lower fuel prices for consumers just a few weeks before the midterm elections, and that he is seeking to attribute record prices to Ukraine rather than to the war against Iran, which has driven up energy prices since February. Trump then left for a Republican meeting in Tennessee.

Perfil details the volumes: Moscow would deliver 300,000 tonnes immediately, then 500,000 tonnes in November, with additional shipments later. It quotes European diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas, who believes that easing restrictions would give Russia more resources to continue the war: "This is not the time to ease pressure on Russia, and Europe will not do so." La Nación notes that the statements have sparked strong criticism from European allies.

The coverage remains focused on Washington and the European reaction, with Kiev's voice appearing only in the background.

Sydney, October 11, 2026. Australian media are treating Donald Trump's statement as the culmination of a dispute over diesel prices. According to The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald, which speak of a "diesel stoush", the American president said Volodymyr Zelensky "better damn well stop" hitting Russian refineries, and called on him to step down, as relations between the two men "sink to fresh lows".

The ABC and PerthNow report the central phrase spoken on Saturday at the White House: "I think it's time for Ukraine to get a new president". Trump adds: "I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal, because he could have made many deals that, for some reason, he never does". He also reproaches Kiev for "making problems for our farmers, our ranchers, with diesel fuel", before leaving for a Republican meeting in Tennessee.

The economic context dominates the narrative. The ABC recalls that Trump concluded an agreement with Vladimir Putin to buy Russian diesel in order to calm prices before the midterm elections, despite sanctions signed against Moscow last month. The newspaper notes that he attributes the record prices to Ukraine rather than to the war waged by the United States in Iran, which has driven up global energy prices. The Age emphasizes that it is not certain that Putin can keep his part, as Russia is struggling to fuel its own economy.

Brasília, October 11, 2026. The two Brazilian media outlets in the pool, Jornal de Brasília and G1, recount the same scene: on Saturday, October 10, from the White House, Donald Trump judged that it was time for Ukraine to have a new president. Jornal de Brasília quotes his phrase: "I suggest they find a new leader who can close deals," because Volodymyr Zelensky "could have closed many deals and, for some reason, never does." For G1, Trump is responding to Zelensky's criticism of the agreement concluded with Moscow to ease sanctions on Russian diesel, an agreement that the Ukrainian leader had described as an "investment in war" and a demonstration of "evident weakness."

The Brazilian account places fuel at the center. Trump reproaches Kyiv for its strikes on Russian refineries: "It's better if he stops immediately," he launched at journalists, adding that these facilities pose "a global problem." According to Jornal de Brasília, he claims that Zelensky "wants to create problems for our farmers, our livestock breeders, with diesel." The Brazilian title recalls that the American president concluded the agreement with Vladimir Putin on Friday to buy Russian diesel and has been pressing Kyiv for weeks to suspend attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.

Santiago, October 11, 2026. Chilean media outlets, La Tercera and BioBioChile, report on Donald Trump's remarks against Volodymyr Zelensky as an episode initially linked to diesel. On Saturday, October 10, the American president estimated that "it's time for Ukraine to have a new president (...) who can conclude an agreement," adding that "Zelensky, for one reason or another, never concludes any agreements." According to La Tercera, he said this from Andrews Base in Maryland. BioBioChile places him in front of the White House, before his departure for Tennessee, where he was to hold a meeting ahead of the legislative elections.

The central criticism concerns Ukrainian strikes against Russian refineries. Trump claims that Zelensky "wants to create problems for our farmers" and for the world, since "Russia supplies a large part of the world's diesel." He says he told him: "You can do what you want to Russia, but don't attack the refineries." La Tercera also quotes his more blunt phrase, according to which Kiev "should stop that."

The two articles put these remarks into perspective the day after the agreement with Vladimir Putin. According to La Tercera, Moscow would "immediately" deliver more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the American and global markets, and then 500,000 tonnes in November. BioBioChile adds that Trump announced he would authorize Russian operations on diesel until April to contain the global price increase. Zelensky had deemed this agreement "unfair" as early as Friday.

Berlin, October 11, 2026. The German press is extensively covering Donald Trump's statement, made on Saturday, October 10, in front of the White House. "I think it's time for Ukraine to have a new president," the US president said, before adding: "I suggest they find a new leader who can conclude an agreement." According to Tagesschau, he also claimed that Volodymyr Zelensky could have concluded many agreements but never did, "for some reason."

The FAZ and Tagesschau directly link this attack to the diesel agreement announced the day before with Vladimir Putin. Trump reproaches Kyiv for its strikes on Russian refineries, which would exacerbate the diesel shortage and penalize American farmers; Zelensky should stop them "damn it." Tagesschau notes that crude oil prices are at a record high due to the war against Iran. The FAZ believes that the US president "let it be seen" that his concerns were about energy prices, just over three weeks before the midterm elections. Its headline summarizes the reading: for Putin's diesel, Trump drops Zelensky again.

The Frankfurt daily also reports, according to the American website Axios and an anonymous Ukrainian negotiator, that the talks in Miami with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner ended earlier than expected. The emissaries would have threatened Kyiv, on Friday, with a cut in American intelligence if the strikes on the refineries continued. The FAZ recalls that a brief interruption had already occurred in the spring of 2025, after the scandal of Zelensky's visit to Washington.

Madrid, October 11, 2026. For the Spanish press, the episode marks a clear escalation in the relationship between Washington and Kiev. ElDiario.es reports that Donald Trump "lashed out" on Saturday, October 10, against Volodymyr Zelensky in front of the press, outside the White House, judging that "it's time for Ukraine to have a new president".

The newspaper highlights the energy grievance. Trump claims to have told Kiev: "you can do what you want with Russia, but don't attack the refineries", because that would be "a global problem" that also penalizes "our farmers, our livestock breeders" via the price of diesel, Russia supplying a large part of the world's diesel, according to him. He uttered these words before leaving for a meeting in Tennessee, ahead of the legislative elections.

ElDiario.es puts the outburst into a sequence: the delegation sent by Kiev to Florida to talk to American emissaries would have brought forward its return, and Trump had just announced that he would allow Russian operations on diesel until April in order to contain the global price increase. The American president claims that Zelensky "did not want" to conclude an agreement, that the war began "due to incompetence" and that Ukraine would not have lost "30% of its country". He suggests looking for "a new leader capable of concluding an agreement".

HuffPost España, which relies on Europa Press and the AP, talks about a "strong deterioration" of the relationship between the two governments, fueled by the energy rapprochement between Washington and Moscow. The media recalls that the day before, Zelensky had described the agreement as a "weak decision by strong partners" and warned that allowing the sale of Russian petroleum products amounts to financing an unfinished war. According to this text, Kiev believes that these revenues alleviate the economic pressure on Russia while it demands more Western sanctions and military aid.

Paris, October 11, 2026. The French press is reporting on an open rift between Washington and Kiev. On Saturday, October 10, in front of the press at the White House, Donald Trump stated that it was "time for Ukraine to have a new president". RFI and Sud Ouest report his phrase: "I suggest they get a new leader who can reach an agreement" with Russia. Volodymyr Zelensky, in office since 2019, "could have concluded many agreements and he never did", the American president added.

BFMTV emphasizes his other comments: without the war, he says, "you would not have already lost 30% of your territory", and the conflict is due to "incompetence" according to him. Donald Trump also urged Kiev to stop striking Russian refineries, which exacerbate "the global problem" of diesel shortages: Volodymyr Zelensky "has an interest in stopping".

The energy context is presented straightforwardly. These statements come on the heels of the announcement, on Friday, October 9, of an agreement between Moscow and Washington on the delivery of Russian diesel to the United States. Sud Ouest recalls that fuel prices have soared since the outbreak of war against Iran in February by Donald Trump and Israel, and that the agreement is seen as a way to relieve American consumers less than a month before crucial legislative elections.

Budapest, October 11, 2026. The Hungarian press is treating Donald Trump's statement as much as an episode of the fuel crisis as an attack on Kyiv. On Saturday, October 10, in front of journalists at the White House, the American president said, according to Telex and 444: "I propose that they find a new leader, capable of concluding an agreement." Volodymyr Zelensky had, in his opinion, "many opportunities" without ever signing anything. Trump repeated that the war would not have broken out if he had been in the White House in 2022, judging it to be born of incompetence.

The three media outlets immediately linked these comments to Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries. Index reports that Trump advised Zelensky to put an end to this and claimed to have warned him that there are "many other targets." Telex specifies that, for Trump, Kyiv wants to create a global problem by continuing to authorize these strikes.

It is the energy context that structures the narrative. Index indicates that the US Treasury announced on Friday, October 9, the temporary lifting of sanctions on Russian diesel, after a very successful meeting with Vladimir Putin, who would commit to delivering large quantities over several months. 444 specifies that the suspension runs until April 2027 and that Zelensky judged the agreement "completely terrible," "neither just nor honest." The site explains that the strikes aim to prevent Moscow from exporting diesel and financing the war, to the point that Russia briefly became an importer.

Rome, October 11, 2026. For Italian agencies and dailies, Donald Trump's statement on Ukraine immediately takes the form of a political execution. Adnkronos headlines that Trump "torpedoed" Volodymyr Zelensky, while ANSA writes that he "dumped" him and that "the gloves are off" between Washington and Kiev, evoking "unprecedented verbal violence".

The remarks, made to the press at the White House before an election rally in Tennessee, are extensively reported: "I suggest that Ukraine find a new leader, someone who knows how to conclude an agreement". Trump adds that Zelensky "could have ended this war on several occasions" but "prefers not to", and that he wants "to create problems for our farmers by striking Russian refineries". The text released by the Vista agency, picked up by Libero Quotidiano, also includes the claim that the war would never have started if he had been president, and a toll of "more than two million victims" on both sides.

The Italian press puts these words into the context of the agreement: the United States is suspending sanctions on Russian diesel until April in exchange for a supply of diesel fuel. ANSA mentions a new "U-turn" by Washington towards Moscow, born out of a one-and-a-half-hour phone call between Trump and Putin, "very intense and friendly". Adnkronos notes that Moscow "observes and appreciates" while confirming the partial lifting of the ban on exporting diesel, announced by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

Vilnius, October 11, 2026. The two Lithuanian media outlets, Verslo žinios and Kauno diena, report the same sequence: in front of journalists at the White House, Donald Trump stated that "it's time for Ukraine to have a new president," who would agree to put an end to the war.

The articles recall what the American president claims to have asked Volodymyr Zelensky: "to do what he wants" against Russia, but not "to attack the oil refineries." He adds: "He'd better, damn it, stop." The remark comes after the announcement, on Friday, October 9, of an agreement with Vladimir Putin on the delivery of Russian diesel to the United States and global markets.

The figures of this contract take center stage. According to Donald Trump, on his Truth Social platform, Russia will deliver "without delay more than 300,000 tonnes" of diesel, then "500,000 tonnes in November and 1 million tonnes" afterwards. The American president sees this as a means to contain the rise in energy prices caused by the war against Iran.

The reaction from Kyiv is quoted extensively. Volodymyr Zelensky judged the offer "truly disloyal, unworthy of our partners" and "a weak decision." He emphasizes that the agreement would mean "additional money for the Russian war" and that it "encourages Putin" to wage a more intense war. According to him, the Ukrainian team, received in Florida by Donald Trump's emissaries on Friday and Saturday, served only as a "smokescreen" for this arrangement with Moscow.

Mexico, October 11, 2026. The Mexican press reports that Donald Trump "arremetido" on Saturday, October 10, against Volodymyr Zelensky, estimating that "ha llegado el momento de que Ucrania tenga un nuevo presidente". According to El Financiero, which details the statements made to the press outside the White House, the reason given is the Ukrainian bombing of Russian diesel refineries.

The reasoning is presented in terms of market. Trump claims to have told Kiev: "puedes hacer lo que quieras con Rusia, pero no ataques las refinerías", because it would be a "problema mundial" that would affect "nuestros agricultores, nuestros ganaderos", Russia providing a large part of the world's diesel. The articles note that these statements come a few hours after Trump's announcement that Washington will allow Russian operations on diesel until April, in order to contain the global price increase.

El Financiero and El Siglo de Torreón, which pick up the same dispatch, also highlight that the delegation sent by Kiev to Florida to meet with American emissaries for Ukraine has advanced its return. The American president, meanwhile, was leaving for Tennessee, where he was to hold a meeting for the legislative elections, a detail that the economic daily mentions without comment.

On the substance of the conflict, Trump maintains that Zelensky did not want to conclude agreements to end the war, which would have started "debido a la incompetencia". He adds: "Nunca debió haber empezado. No habrían perdido ya el 30 % de su país", and then recommends that Ukrainians look for "un nuevo líder capaz de llegar a un acuerdo". El Norte and Reforma, with a shorter text, summarize that Zelensky would not have done enough to end the war.

Abuja, October 11, 2026. Nigerian dailies are covering the episode like a news agency report: Trump speaks, Zelensky responds, and the figures are cross-checked. Punch, which relies on the Associated Press, writes that the American president called on Ukraine on Saturday to elect a new head of state, accusing it of not negotiating an end to the war and contributing to the rise in diesel prices in the United States. The statement comes a day after the announcement of an agreement with Vladimir Putin to supply diesel to the American and global markets, "with the aim of mitigating the rise in fuel prices before the November midterm elections."

The central grievance is energy-related. According to Punch, Trump reproaches Zelensky for pursuing strikes on Russian energy infrastructure: "He wants to create problems for our farmers, our livestock breeders, with diesel." Vanguard, more brief, reports that he told his counterpart to do what he wanted against Russia, but not to touch the refineries: "He would do well to stop." Trump adds that the war would never have started if he had been president and that it is "time for Ukraine to have a new president."

Daily Post situates the statement before Trump's departure for a campaign meeting in Clarksville, Tennessee, and places it in response to Zelensky's criticisms. The latter sees the authorization to sell Russian petroleum products, accompanied by a temporary waiver from the US Treasury, as a green light given to Moscow to "continue attacking" Ukraine, and believes that the decision "must be corrected." The newspaper notes that the agreement has provoked a hostile reaction in Europe and among American parliamentarians, and that Zelensky has spoken with Andy Burnham, Emmanuel Macron, and Jonas Gahr Støre.

Islamabad, October 11, 2026. Pakistani media outlets Business Recorder and Geo News are reporting the same agency account, titled "Trump calls for replacing Ukraine's Zelenskiy in tussle over diesel deal with Russia". The narrative is that of a dispute over fuel rather than a crisis of legitimacy in Kyiv.

On Saturday, in front of the press at the White House, Donald Trump called on Ukraine to replace its leader: "I think it's time for Ukraine to get a new president". He denounced Ukrainian strikes against Russian oil infrastructure, a day after announcing a diesel supply agreement with Russia, an agreement that Volodymyr Zelensky had strongly criticized. According to Trump, Zelensky has weakened the global diesel supply by targeting Russian refineries. He adds: "He wants to make problems for our farmers, our ranchers, with diesel fuel because Russia supplies a large portion of the diesel fuel throughout the world."

The economic framework is set from the start by the two texts: the sharp global rise in diesel prices, following the outbreak of war against Iran in February, has become a political handicap for the Republican Party as the midterm elections approach, where Democrats could take control of one or both chambers of Congress.

Lisbon, October 11, 2026. Portuguese media are treating Donald Trump's statement as an episode in the fuel crisis as much as a quarrel between allies. SAPO Notícias reports that the American president stated on Saturday that "it's time for Ukraine to have a new president", suggesting a leader "capable of concluding an agreement".

The site specifies that Trump reproaches Volodymyr Zelensky for attacking Russian refineries, which, according to him, weighs on the global supply of diesel, and accuses him of "wanting to create problems for the world". Trump announced an agreement with Vladimir Putin. SAPO adds that Zelensky defended that easing sanctions against Russia is a weakness, and that Ukraine struck a Russian oil terminal, causing fires.

The midnight bulletin of Rádio Observador, whose transcription is generated by artificial intelligence, places these remarks a day after Trump signed an agreement with Putin to increase Russian diesel supply on international markets, "as the White House seeks to lower fuel prices". The station notes that Trump suggests a war-ending agreement would be easier with a change in direction in Kyiv.

The radio also quotes his tirade: "If I were president, this war would never have happened", which he attributes to "incompetence". The same bulletin then addresses, in a distinct register, the missile attack on Riyadh airport, proof that the Ukrainian dossier is presented amidst a busy international news landscape.

Moscow, October 11, 2026. The Russian press first picked up on the phrase spoken by Donald Trump on Saturday, October 10, in front of the press at the White House: "I think it's time for Ukraine to have a new president." RT and Sputnik reported it almost verbatim, along with the following: "Zelensky could have settled this war many times. And he chose not to do so."

The American president blamed Volodymyr Zelensky for the strikes on Russian refineries. "He was told: do what you want to Russia, just don't touch the refineries, because it's a global problem," RT quoted. Sputnik added that Trump invoked American farmers and livestock breeders, who depend on diesel for their machines and transportation, and repeated the warning: "He'd better stop."

These statements came a day after the phone call between Trump and Vladimir Putin. RT detailed the agreement: according to Trump, 300,000 tonnes of Russian diesel will be released immediately, followed by 500,000 tonnes the next month. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed that Moscow is ready to supply Washington and other buyers, with exports potentially reaching one million tonnes by December, and a lifting of Russian export restrictions earlier than planned. Meduza added that the US Treasury issued a temporary license valid until April 7, 2027.

Stockholm, October 11, 2026. The Swedish press is covering the event in breaking news, focusing on Donald Trump's words. Svenska Dagbladet, in its news feed, headlines "Trump attacks Zelensky: It's time to have a new president" and sets the scene on Saturday, in front of journalists, outside the White House. Trump states: "I propose that Ukraine choose a new leader, who can conclude an agreement. For one reason or another, it never happens."

The link to diesel is established from the start. Expressen recalls that the agreement between Trump and Putin, announced on Friday, provides for Russia to deliver more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the United States and the global market, and then an additional 1.5 million tonnes before the end of the year. The daily relays the American reproach: Kyiv would exacerbate the global fuel crisis by striking Russian refineries. Trump claims to have told Zelensky that he could do what he wanted against Russia, "but not attack the refineries," and assures that these strikes harm American farmers. Expressen also cites Axios: Zelensky would have proposed to stop if Russia ceased targeting Ukrainian power plants.

Aftonbladet emphasizes the Ukrainian position: Zelensky judged that the agreement would only benefit the Russian war machine, a criticism that Expressen complements with the warning that the revenue will finance new attacks. The newspaper specifies that Putin's emissary, Kirill Dmitriev, described Trump's words as "iconic and historic." It also signals that British Prime Minister Andy Burnham called Zelensky to reiterate his full support, according to a statement from his services.

Dakar, October 11, 2026. The Senegalese press, citing news agency dispatches, reports on Donald Trump's remarks against Volodymyr Zelensky. On Saturday, in front of the press at the White House, the American president stated that it was "time for Ukraine to have a new president". Dakaractu describes a "furious" Trump who "sharply" attacks his counterpart, accused of being unable to put an end to the war with Russia.

The two sites quote the same statement: "I suggest they get a new leader who can reach an agreement". PressAfrik details the criticism: Zelensky "could have ended this war many times, very many times, but he chooses not to". Donald Trump adds that if he had been president, the war "would never have started".

The second reason is energy-related. The American president condemns the Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries, which would exacerbate the global diesel shortage and affect American farmers and livestock breeders. "He'd better stop", he warns, according to Dakaractu. PressAfrik cites his phrase: "do what you want, but don't touch diesel".

Dakaractu puts the statement into perspective following a "controversial agreement" between Moscow and Washington for the massive purchase of Russian diesel. The site specifies that fuel prices in the United States have soared since the outbreak of war against Iran in February, triggered by Donald Trump and Israel. The agreement is presented as a way to partially relieve consumers less than a month before crucial legislative elections.

Kyiv, October 11, 2026. For the Ukrainian press, Donald Trump's statement can only be understood in the wake of the announcement made on Friday, October 9. Kyiv Post recalls that the American president announced, after a phone call with Vladimir Putin, an agreement whereby Moscow will "immediately" supply over one million tons of diesel to the global market until 2027. Ukrainska Pravda EN specifies that Trump spoke of an agreement on lifting sanctions targeting Russian diesel.

On Saturday, October 10, before journalists, Trump defended this agreement and targeted Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Ukrainska Pravda, he stated: "I think it's time for Ukraine to have a new president... I suggest they have a new leader who can make a deal." He claimed that Zelensky "could have resolved this war many times" but "chose not to do so." He also reproached him for the strikes on Russian refineries, which, he said, create problems "for the world, for our farmers": Kyiv Post notes that diesel exceeds $6 per gallon, about a month before the US midterm elections.

The two media outlets report on Zelensky's reaction to the agreement. He described the easing of sanctions as an "absolutely terrible" measure and a "birthday gift for Putin" that will give Russia additional billions to continue the war. He also said that the Ukrainian delegation sent to Miami served as a "cover" while Trump and Putin agreed on fuel deliveries. Kyiv Post cites the term "smokescreen" for this visit, which took place while the delegation met with Trump's emissaries.

London, 11 October 2026. The British press reports Donald Trump's outburst against Volodymyr Zelensky primarily as a fuel issue. On Saturday, 10 October, in front of the White House, the American president stated: "it's time for Ukraine to get a new president", suggesting to Ukrainians to choose "a new leader who can make a deal". The BBC recalls that these comments respond to Kyiv's criticism of the agreement announced on Friday, 9 October, with Moscow, which suspends sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April. Zelensky sees this as a gift to Vladimir Putin, which would provide Moscow with the means to continue the war.

The energy context structures the narrative. According to the BBC, the war against Iran launched by the United States and Israel has led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world's oil products transit. Russians and Ukrainians are intensifying their strikes on each other's energy infrastructure, which further tightens the markets. Trump reproaches Zelensky for continuing to authorize attacks on Russian refineries, "a global problem": "He'd better damn well stop".

The Daily Mail emphasizes the price at the pump: American diesel would have risen from $3.68 per gallon a year ago to $6.28 on Friday, and nearly two million tonnes of Russian oil would be imported to the United States. The newspaper cites an American official interviewed by Axios, according to whom Zelensky "is misreading the room" and is eroding the goodwill acquired with Trump in six months. It links the whole situation to the upcoming midterm elections, which America will face in a few weeks.

Washington, October 11, 2026. On Saturday, October 10, before the press at the White House, before leaving for a meeting in Tennessee, Donald Trump stated: "It's time for Ukraine to get a new president". Fox News specifies that he urged Volodymyr Zelensky to stop attacking Russian refineries: "He'd better d--- well stop". According to Axios, he also claimed that these strikes were harming American farmers and that the Ukrainian president "could have made many deals" without ever doing so.

The immediate context is the agreement announced on Friday, October 9, with Moscow. Fox News explains that it suspends restrictions on Russian diesel exports until April 7, which would allow the release of millions of tonnes onto the American and global markets "at a time when Americans are paying more at the pump". Trump summarizes his position as follows: "you can do whatever you want to Russia, don't hit the refineries", because it's "a world problem".

Axios emphasizes the political and diplomatic dimension: according to the site, Trump's attack signals the most serious crisis between the two men since their meeting in February 2025, which had turned into a scandal in front of the cameras. Zelensky, surprised by an agreement concluded behind his back, told Axios that it was "not fair and not honest", a "sign of weakness" from Trump and a "birthday gift" for Putin. An American official told Axios that Trump acted after Zelensky ignored half a dozen American requests to stop the strikes.