The UK does not support Donald Trump’s deal with Vladimir Putin, which would see the US purchase millions of tonnes of diesel from Russia, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has said.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House, he said the agreement had been done in the context of the US president facing elections in November and at a time when politicians across the world were under pressure to ease the cost of living.
He argued that the US and other allies should focus on increasing pressure on Russia to shorten the war “and to secure Ukraine’s freedom”.
Trump’s diesel deal is aimed at lowering fuel prices in America, which have risen following the US and Israel’s conflict with Iran.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the agreement would allow Moscow to raise funds to source new military equipment to continue the war.
In response, Trump suggested Ukraine should “get a new leader” who could reach a deal with Russia to end the long-running conflict between the two countries.
Streeting said it was a matter for Ukrainians to choose their leader but added that the country was “fortunate to have someone of his calibre, his courage and his integrity leading their war effort”.
He added that responsibility for the war “lies squarely and solely with President Putin and his imperialist ambitions”.
The defence secretary said it was not the first time there had been public disagreements between Washington and Kyiv, adding: “In these situations we see it as our role and our responsibility to try and bring our friends back together again.”
He also sought to emphasise the US’s support for Ukraine, saying there was “often an understatement” of how much help they had provided.
“We’re seeing US support for Ukraine in a number of ways from the provision of weapons – and we do a lot of procurement through the Americans – through to intelligence support and through the diplomatic initiative that Washington is leading.”