Trump demands Zelensky's ouster, suspends Russian diesel sanctions as envoys delay Moscow trip

Trump demanded Zelensky's replacement and suspended US sanctions on Russian diesel, while his envoys delayed a planned trip to Moscow.

• Trump announced the suspension of US sanctions on Russian diesel and demanded Ukraine end strikes on Russian oil refineries.
• Trump said Ukraine should have a new president, calling Zelensky the main obstacle to a peace settlement with Russia.
• US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner delayed their Russia trip until Zelensky mends relations with Trump, following a meeting in Miami on Friday.
• Zelensky proposed holding elections if Russian President Vladimir Putin guarantees a 60-day ceasefire.
• Oil prices fell on Tuesday as markets weighed the Russian diesel supply against Gulf shipping risks, with Brent dropping 1.1 percent to $105.47.
• Trump defended the deal against bipartisan criticism, saying Russia agreed to supply diesel and that large quantities of oil flow from Venezuela.
• Analysts told the Wall Street Journal the deal will barely dent US fuel prices, with diesel at $6.27 a gallon and the plan facing objections under a 2022 law.
• The Treasury temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian diesel until April to allow the imports to proceed.
• Trump claimed Russia and Ukraine agreed to an energy truce, a claim Zelensky disputed.
• Russia claimed it could supply up to 3.5 million tonnes of diesel per month to global markets by year's end.
• European leaders backed Ukraine ahead of the European Council summit, where war funding will be a key focus.
• Energy expert Kostis Stambolis called the US move purely political, aimed at pressuring Zelensky and leveraging European energy dependence.