The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament has firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s call for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
It is not for Washington to choose Ukraine's leaders, that choice belongs to Ukrainians alone. Renew Europe is unequivocally backing Ukraine and its people in their fight for freedom, sovereignty and a just and lasting peace.
The diesel deal struck between Washington and Moscow, alongside an easing of US sanctions, amounts to a gift to Vladimir Putin at Ukraine’s expense.
It would provide Moscow with additional revenue to sustain its war of aggression while weakening the international pressure needed to bring it to an end. Europe will not follow suit; reopening the European energy market to Russian products is out of the question.
Valérie Hayer MEP, President of the Renew Group, stated:
“Trump is handing Putin a financial lifeline while Russian missiles destroy Ukrainian homes and power plants. This deal is a betrayal of Ukraine and a direct blow to European security. Putin gets revenues to fuel his war; Trump gets an election stunt at the pump. Ukrainians pay the price in blood. Europe must confront this reckless decision with tougher sanctions on Russia and stronger military support for Kyiv. Our security is not Trump’s to sell.”
Petras Auštrevičius MEP (Liberalų sąjūdis, LT), Shadow Rapporteur for Ukraine, emphasised:
"Trump’s misguided decision signals continued chaos and ultimately supports Russia, which shows no signs of a ceasefire or peace negotiations. The EU must take the initiative by maintaining strict sanctions against Russia and abandoning all dependence on Russian fossil fuels. We must remain united in our support for Ukraine by fulfilling the promises made regarding military and economic support, and by protecting Ukrainian lives."
This is no time to ease pressure on Putin. Russia’s continued attacks expose the weakness of any ceasefire announcement that is not backed by concrete commitments and action. Ukraine has shown its readiness to respect a genuine, reciprocal energy truce.
Any energy truce between Russia and Ukraine must not be imposed on Ukrainians. It must also be fully respected by Russia, which has so far shown no willingness to do so. New strikes on energy facilities in Kyiv and Kharkiv were reported shortly after President Trump’s announcement on 11 October.
Trump’s approach appears increasingly driven by domestic considerations. Blaming Kyiv while striking a deal with Moscow is the wrong response. Rather than blaming Ukraine, the US administration should address the real causes of rising fuel prices without rewarding Russian aggression or weakening the sanctions regime.
Europe must stand firm, maintain pressure on the Kremlin and continue providing Ukraine with the support it needs to defend itself. A just and lasting peace cannot be built by rewarding the aggressor, undermining the victim or dictating Ukraine’s political future.