UK leaders and former officials have strongly criticized US President Donald Trump after he called for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to be replaced following a US-Russia diesel agreement.
Trump recently agreed to buy 300,000 tons of Russian fuel, followed by 500,000 tons in November and a further one million after that. It prompted a furious response from Ukrainian president Mr Zelensky, who described it as a ‘gift to Putin’.
Outside of the White House last night Trump told reporters that ‘it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president’.
He blamed Kyiv for the skyrocketing petrol and diesel prices – which had spiked following his own war with Iran – and warned that they ‘better damn well stop’ striking Russian oil infrastructure.
Trump concluded: ‘I suggest they get a new leader who can ‌make a deal.’
Tory leader Badenoch, reacting to the news said, Trump was ‘wrong’ to do a deal with Putin for diesel and ‘wrong’ to blame Zelensky.
She posted on X: ‘Ukraine’s freedom is not President Trump’s to bargain away.
‘He is wrong to ease sanctions on Russian diesel, wrong to blame President Zelensky for prolonging Putin’s war and wrong to undermine a nation fighting for its right to exist.
‘Russia is the aggressor. Always has been. Reward Russia and we should expect to see more aggression, including from other countries.
‘We can also kiss goodbye to any just and lasting peace. This is why Conservatives have stood with Ukraine against Putin. Ukraine’s future belongs to Ukrainians.
‘They alone have the right to choose their president and we stand with President Zelensky because he fights not for himself, but for the survival of his country and his people.’
Former PM Johnson – a strong supporter of Ukraine – posted 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.
Giving broadcast interviews this morning, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said ‘we stand with Ukraine.’
Amid concerns that the US might halt intelligence sharing with Ukraine following the incendiary remarks, Prime Minister Andy Burnham called Zelensky yesterday to reaffirm Britain’s support.
The two leaders are scheduled to hold an in-person meeting in the coming days.
