DOMINANT ANGLE
Moscow interprets Trump's statement as a challenge to Zelensky's legitimacy, which RT links to a "mandate expiring in 2024" and to martial law.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Trump, on Saturday, October 10: "I think it's time for Ukraine to have a new president," criticizing Zelensky for strikes on Russian refineries (RT, Sputnik).
- 02
According to Trump, 300,000 tonnes of Russian diesel are released immediately, then 500,000 tonnes the following month; Novak mentions one million tonnes by December (RT).
- 03
The US Treasury has issued a temporary license for Russian diesel until April 7, 2027, and Axios mentions a threat to cut off intelligence to Kiev (Meduza).
ANALYSIS
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.
RT framed the episode in a register of legitimacy: Zelensky's "term expired in 2024", he remains in power citing martial law, and Putin has repeated that this could undermine a potential peace agreement signed with Kiev. Sputnik, on the other hand, headlined a leader "capable of concluding an agreement" and emphasized the idea that Zelensky "never makes agreements".
Meduza, a Russian-language media outlet, added the Ukrainian and American perspective. Zelensky judged that the authorization given to Russia to sell its oil products is "an investment in the war". Talks took place on October 9 in Miami between a Ukrainian delegation, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner; according to Axios, American negotiators mentioned a possible halt to intelligence sharing if Kiev continues to target refineries.
