Head of European Parliament defense committee: the US can no longer be relied upon

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, who chairs the European Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defence, has said that Europe can no longer count on the United States as a partner — after Trump called on Ukraine to change its president.

This was reported by Ukrainska Pravda.

The German MEP published her statement on X. According to her, only Ukrainians themselves should decide who leads Ukraine.

“If Trump is calling on Zelensky to resign, he is clearly siding with a murderer. Only the Ukrainian people can decide who leads Ukraine, in free elections — not the White House and certainly not the Kremlin,” Strack-Zimmermann wrote.

She also added that Russian President Vladimir Putin should face a tribunal in The Hague, and that his victims should receive proper support.

“By once again attacking allies and democratic institutions, Trump is weakening the West and undermining democracy. Many Americans share this view. That is why Europe must stay the course and support Ukraine, because the US can no longer be relied upon,” the MEP stated.

The statement was prompted by remarks Trump made on Saturday, October 10, to journalists at the White House. He said it was “time for Ukraine to change its president,” blaming Zelensky for high global diesel prices — due to strikes on Russian oil refineries.

“I suggest they find a new leader who can negotiate: he has had many opportunities to make deals, but for some reason he just never does,” Trump said.

These words came the day after Trump announced a deal with Putin to purchase Russian diesel fuel. According to the BBC, the deal suspends sanctions on Russian diesel fuel exports until April 7. Under its terms, Russia will first deliver 300,000 tonnes, and then another 500,000 tonnes in November. Zelensky criticized the agreement, saying it would give Moscow money to continue the war.

Regarding elections, Zelensky said Ukraine could hold them if Russia agreed to a full 60-day ceasefire. “With all due respect to President Trump, it is our society, our people who should choose one leader or another,” he said, as reported by the Associated Press. Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia’s invasion in 2022, and elections have therefore been suspended.

On Sunday, Trump announced on Truth Social an “Energy Truce” between Russia and Ukraine, saying both sides had agreed to it, but provided no details. Zelensky told Axios that the announcement “came as news to me.” Later, Kyiv stated that Russia was continuing to strike energy facilities in Kyiv and Kharkiv.

Zelensky also received support from other European officials. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reaffirmed Berlin’s support for Zelensky and called for increased pressure on Russia to return to peace negotiations.