US president Donald Trump has called Ukraine's leader a 'dictator' for being reluctant to hold elections during wartime. (EPA Images pic)WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump demanded that Volodymyr Zelensky halt attacks on Russian oil refineries and suggested he should consider stepping aside as Ukraine’s president, escalating a fight centered on securing more diesel supplies for the US ahead of the midterm elections.

“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Saturday as he unleashed an angry critique of Zelensky, saying Ukraine needs a leader “who can make a deal” with Russia.

“There’s plenty of targets,” Trump said. “Don’t hit refineries.”