Donald Trump’s diesel deal with Vladimir Putin has triggered a backlash in Britain after the US president called for Volodymyr Zelensky to be replaced as Ukraine’s leader.
Mr Trump also warned Kyiv to stop attacking Russian oil infrastructure, blaming Ukraine for rising fuel costs despite the conflict with Iran having contributed to the increase.
Speaking outside the White House, he said: “I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal.” He added that Mr Zelensky “better damn well stop” striking oil facilities in Russia.
The agreement with Moscow is expected to bring almost two million tons of Russian diesel supplies into the United States. Mr Trump has been seeking to reduce domestic fuel prices amid growing criticism from American voters.
Boris Johnson, a prominent supporter of Ukraine, condemned the arrangement and rejected Mr Trump’s explanation for the rise in fuel costs.
“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,” the former prime minister said in a social media post.
“Putin is murdering innocent Ukrainian civilians every day,” Mr Johnson added. “The Ukrainians are fighting for their lives. And yet the White House is apparently determined to force American drivers to bankroll Putin’s slaughter.”
He said the deal would not work and was unlikely to make a significant difference to fuel prices, arguing that Russian oil and gas should return to world markets only after the war had ended “with a free, sovereign and independent Ukraine”.
The US president said the war had begun “due to incompetence” on Mr Zelensky’s part and claimed it should never have started. “I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” he said.
The agreement followed Mr Zelensky’s refusal to accept Mr Trump’s demand that Ukraine stop its attacks on Russian oil infrastructure. Ukrainian strikes on the industry have caused difficulties for Vladimir Putin’s government, although Russia still has surplus diesel.
Kyiv has accused Mr Trump of showing weakness by conceding to the Russian president. There are also fears that Washington could restrict intelligence-sharing with Ukraine as punishment.
The Kremlin staged a further attack on Ukrainian civilians in Zaporizhzhia shortly after the Trump-Putin call. Seven people were killed, including at least three girls, while ten others were wounded and 16 were reported missing.
Almost 90 civilians have been killed by Russia in the space of three days, according to the figures cited in the account.
Andy Burnham spoke to Mr Zelensky by telephone last night to reassure him of continued British support. The Mayor of Greater Manchester and the Ukrainian president are expected to meet in person in the coming days.
Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have also criticised the US position, as Mr Trump faces pressure over the war with Iran and diesel prices that have risen from 3.68 dollars a gallon a year ago to 6.28 dollars by Friday.
