Fact Check: Did Zelenskyy call on Americans to choose a new leader amid US-Russia diesel deal?

WASHINGTON, DC: Amid controversy over the diesel deal between the United States and Russia, a rumor is circulating on social media platforms claiming that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reportedly called on Americans to choose a new leader. The claim has sparked concern and criticism against President Donald Trump, requiring a fact-check.

Claim: Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls on Americans to choose a new leader

According to a viral Facebook post, Zelenskyy has called on Americans to choose a new leader. 

The claim surfaced after Trump called for Zelenskyy’s replacement, saying ‘he should stop’ after the Ukrainian president criticized the US-Russia diesel deal. 

“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason he never does,” Trump told reporters at the White House. 

“Zelenskyy could have settled this war many times, many, many times, and he chooses not to. Very difficult. It’s a war that should have never been started. If I were present, if the election weren’t rigged, I would have been president and that war would have never started,” Trump said. 

While many believed the claim, others remained skeptical and called for a fact-check.

Fact Check: The claim originated from a satire account

However, the claim is false, as there are no records of the Ukrainian leader calling on Americans for the removal of Trump.

No official statements, announcements, recent interviews, or social media posts from Zelenskyy support the claim.

If Zelenskyy had made such a remark, it would not have gone unreported by prominent news outlets. A Google search for the claim also yielded no credible results.

Additionally, the claim originated from an online satirical newspaper called ‘The Borowitz Report,’ which posted the claim on its Facebook page called ‘Andy Borowitz.’

Volodymyr Zelenskyy hits back at calls for his removal

During his interview with ABC News' Jonathan Karl, Zelenskyy retaliated against those demanding his removal from the leadership, saying they “can’t find a key [for] how to stop” Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

“These people can’t find a key how to stop Putin,” Zelenskyy replied. "Because it’s more difficult to stop Putin than to pressure others. Because it’s simpler to speak about the prices and connect it with Ukraine." 

“And if we want to speak with people fairly, if we want to be clear, if we want to speak with our nations openly, we have to stop –– I mean, people have to hear reality,” Zelenskyy added. “Don’t play games with people.”