Italy

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.

The Russian counterpoint is highlighted: Kirill Dmitriev describes the remarks as "emblematic and historic" and welcomes a direction "focused on peace, not on Zelensky's warlike policy". ANSA specifies that he published a Time cover with "The Endgame" crossed out. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha defended Zelensky.

ANSA also provides the electoral key: Trump would require Kiev to unilaterally cease its strikes, convinced that they are driving up American energy prices, "an absolutely crucial theme" just weeks before the midterm elections, which are unfavorable to Republicans in the polls. It recalls the "furious" criticism from Kiev and Brussels against the agreement. Adnkronos, in another headline, speaks of "American blackmail" of Kiev, and estimates that the agreement leaves the Kremlin with more resources for the war.