UK, Germany and Poland back Zelenskyy after Trump calls for new leader

The United Kingdom, Germany and Poland reaffirmed their support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after U.S. President Donald Trump said the country needed a new leader, Politico Europe reported. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X that he was "absolutely convinced" nobody could break Ukraine and its president in their "fight against Russian aggression." German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reaffirmed Germany's support for Zelenskyy on 11 October and called for greater pressure on Moscow to return to peace talks, he told Reuters.

Trump told reporters at the White House: "I think it's time for Ukraine to get a new president," as he criticised Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities, according to Politico. Die Welt reported that Trump also accused Zelenskyy of having missed opportunities for an agreement with Russia. Politico reported the exchange followed Washington's decision to ease diesel sanctions on Russia.

Zelenskyy said he was open to new elections in Ukraine on the condition of a 60-day complete ceasefire with Russia. "Please tell Putin he should give us two months, 60 days of complete ceasefire, 60 days, and we will organise elections," Zelenskyy said, addressing Trump, according to Die Welt. He said the decision on Ukraine's leadership ultimately rests with Ukrainians alone.

Trump announced on Truth Social on 11 October: "From now on there is an 'energy ceasefire' in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Both sides have agreed. Don't break it!" Die Welt reported that Zelenskyy said he had not known about the announcement in advance, but that Ukraine supports the step and is waiting for details from the US side; Zelenskyy also said he discussed it with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to stop attacks on Russian energy facilities if Russia stopped attacking Ukrainian infrastructure, Die Welt reported. Die Welt reported that no statement from the Russian government was initially available.

In his evening video address, Zelenskyy said Russian forces continued their air strikes, including a hit on a combined heat and power plant in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, according to Die Welt. He said there had been more than 200 attacks on Ukrainian generation capacity and 17 on oil and gas facilities in the past seven days. Local authorities said three people were killed and 20 injured in Kharkiv by Russian attacks on 11 October, Die Welt reported.

British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting told the BBC on 11 October: "We stand with Ukraine. We stand with President Zelenskyy," adding that Ukrainians alone should decide who leads their country. Streeting said Russian President Vladimir Putin started the war and could end it, and that Britain's priority would be to seek reconciliation between Kyiv and Washington, according to Politico. Downing Street said British Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke with Zelenskyy on 10 October and reiterated Britain's "complete solidarity"; Burnham acknowledged that "the last 24 hours had been difficult for Ukraine" and pledged to strengthen sanctions, according to the statement, Politico reported.