Boris Johnson has led a British backlash against Donald Trump after the US president stood by what the former prime minister called a “sickening” diesel agreement with Vladimir Putin.
Mr Trump doubled down on the surprise deal with Russia, which is reportedly aimed at protecting Republican prospects in the approaching midterm elections, while also calling for Volodymyr Zelensky to be removed as Ukraine’s leader.
The US president blamed Ukraine for the sharp rise in global fuel prices, much of which has emerged since he began the war with Iran. He also warned Kyiv that it had “better damn well stop” attacking Russia’s oil infrastructure.
Mr Trump said Ukraine, which has resisted Russia’s full-scale invasion for four years, needed a “new leader who can make a deal”.
The comments have prompted fears that Washington could retaliate by cutting off intelligence-sharing with Kyiv.
Andy Burnham spoke with Mr Zelensky by phone yesterday, assuring him that the UK’s support remains in place. The two leaders are expected to hold face-to-face talks in the coming days.
In broadcast interviews this morning, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting reiterated the UK’s position, saying: “We stand with Ukraine.”
“It’s not the first time we’ve seen these sorts of tensions between Kyiv and Washington … our role, our responsibility, in this situation is to try to bring our friends back together,” he told Sky News.
Mr Streeting indicated that Mr Trump was also confronting the domestic “political reality” of elections approaching in the United States.
“Let’s be candid about this: midterms are coming up, cost of living is an issue,” he said.
“No doubt President Trump is feeling the same pressure that lots of leaders are facing in terms of wanting to ease cost-of-living pressures, energy prices.
“I think it’s just a political reality, isn’t it? The cost of living is high on the public’s agenda in this country and elsewhere, and no doubt President Trump wants to respond to that.
“We would obviously prefer a stronger approach on sanctions.”
Mr Streeting said the US contribution to Ukraine’s defence was often “talked down”, adding: “I’ve found the US administration to be highly engaged on Ukraine.”
Donald Trump told Ukraine to “get a new leader” after signing an oil agreement with Vladimir Putin
“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal,” Mr Trump told reporters outside the White House, referring to Mr Zelensky
Boris Johnson has spearheaded a UK backlash against Mr Trump after the US president defended his “sickening” diesel deal with Putin
Mr Zelensky thanked Andy Burnham for the support he expressed during their phone call last night
Former prime minister Mr Johnson, a prominent supporter of Ukraine, wrote on social media last night: “It is sickening that the USA is now lifting sanctions on Russian fuel, and transparently ridiculous to blame Ukraine for the spike in prices that obviously began with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
“Putin is murdering innocent Ukrainian civilians every day.
‘The Ukrainians are fighting for their lives. And yet the White House is apparently determined to force American drivers to bankroll Putin’s slaughter.
‘It won’t work and I doubt it will make much difference to the price of fuel. If we want Russian oil and gas back on the world market then let’s end this war – with a free, sovereign and independent Ukraine.’
Kemi Badenoch reposted Mr Johnson’s message on X, while Lib Dems have also condemned the US stance.
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Mr Trump has been facing increasing backlash from US voters over the war with Iran, which has helped diesel prices soar from $3.68 per gallon a year ago to $6.28 by Friday.
The Middle East chaos looks to be spreading again after a Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia overnight.
The president has been desperately looking for ways to reduce domestic prices, including threatening to restrict exports to G7 allies.
Mr Trump sealed the agreement with the Russian dictator after Mr Zelensky did not agree to his demands to stop strikes on oil infrastructure.
Ukraine’s success at targeting the industry in Russia has caused a crisis for Putin, but the oil-rich nation does still have surplus diesel.
The agreement will see almost two million tons of Russian supplies imported to the US.
In the immediate aftermath of the Trump-Putin call, the Kremlin staged a new strike on sleeping Ukrainian civilians in Zaporizhzhia killing seven including at least three children, all girls, with ten wounded and 16 ‘missing’.
It brings the total to almost 90 civilians killed by Russia in three days.
The diesel pact between Trump and Putin stunned Kyiv, with the Ukrainian leader accusing the US president of ‘weakness’ by caving in to Putin.
Mr Burnham and Mr Zelensky (pictured in New York last month) are expected to meet face to face in the coming days
Trump earlier announced a deal with Putin, which will see almost two million tons of Russian oil be imported to the US, as the president seeks to shore up his ratings amid rising fuel costs
Ukraine hit a key oil hub hours after Mr Trump blindsided Kyiv by agreeing to lift sanctions on Russian oil
But Mr Trump told reporters outside the White House last night: ‘I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal.
‘He could have made many deals, and for some reason, he never does.’
Referring to Mr Zelensky continuing strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, Mr Trump said: ‘He better damn well stop.’
He also stated the Russian and Ukrainian conflict started ‘due to incompetence’ on Mr Zelensky’s part.
‘That’s a war that should have never started. And I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,’ Mr Trump said.
The announcement came despite Mr Trump signed a sweeping Russia sanctions law just last month aimed at clamping down on the oil and gas revenues that fuel Putin’s war against Ukraine.
A Downing Street spokesperson said last night: ‘The Prime Minister spoke with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine today.
‘The Prime Minister began by recognising the last 24 hours had been difficult for Ukraine and reiterated his complete solidarity.
‘The two leaders next discussed the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia: the Prime Minister made it clear that the UK would continue to strengthen its sanctions on Russia and to take further action to constrain the Russian war machine, building on new UK designations against Russian targets announced this week.
‘They underlined that Russia should agree to an immediate energy ceasefire, ending its brutal strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and its attacks on shipping in the Black Sea. This would immediately release more energy and food supplies into the global market.
‘The two leaders agreed to meet in person in the coming days to continue their discussion.’
