The Ukrainian leader could have ended the conflict with Russia “a long time ago,” the US president has said

Ukraine needs a new representative to negotiate peace with Russia as Vladimir Zelensky “doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” US President Donald Trump has said. He added that he is ready to discuss a resolution to the conflict with Russia and China.

The statement comes amid a deepening rift between Trump and Zelensky over Ukraine’s continued targeting of Russian refineries after the US president struck a deal with Moscow aimed at reining in skyrocketing global energy prices through Russian diesel exports.

“Zelensky’s a man that should have this war settled a long time ago,” Trump told reporters on Monday when asked about the Ukrainian leader’s criticism of his deal with President Vladimir Putin.

“Zelensky doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” Trump said. “To be honest, I think it’s time for someone else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine.…