US Diesel Deal Strains Diplomatic Ties Amid Ukraine War
President Trump's agreement with Russia sparks tension with Kyiv and allies as UK pledges accelerated air defence.
Sarah Connor
A US deal to import Russian diesel has reportedly strained diplomatic relations with Britain and other allies of Ukraine.
The US President increasingly attributes escalating fuel costs to Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband acknowledged the "difficult" state of relations between the US and Ukraine's allies following the US presidential announcement. He stated, "Within the bounds of diplomacy we should acknowledge it's been a very difficult few days."
Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Ukraine had not executed strikes on Russian oil refineries or its energy sector for two days preceding the announcement.
Russia, however, continued its assault on Ukrainian energy facilities and critical infrastructure during this period.
Ukraine has not carried out strikes on Russian oil refineries or the energy sector in general for the two days since the American president announced an energy ceasefire.
He added, "But Russia did not heed the American president. During this time, the Russians have attacked both our energy facilities and our critical infrastructure, sending absolutely clear signals that they have no intention of refraining from strikes on Ukraine."
President Trump claimed both Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin must convene to end the conflict. He asserted, "All I know is that Zelensky and Putin have to get together and end that ridiculous war."
Trump also suggested Ukraine requires new leadership and claimed Putin desired a peace deal more than the Kyiv government. He stated, "I think actually Putin wants to make a deal more than Zelensky."
Ukraine, for its part, claims it received no warning of a Russian ballistic missile attack overnight.
Ed Miliband highlighted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's "extraordinary leadership" over the past four-and-a-half years. He noted, "I was with him in Ukraine last week as we went to the site where 22 innocent civilians were killed, including five children."
Miliband urged, "So let us take up this idea of the full energy ceasefire and let us seek with President Trump to hold Putin to this full energy ceasefire, because that is what we need."
Prime Minister Andy Burnham will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street on Wednesday.
The UK will accelerate its delivery of air defence missiles to Kyiv and reaffirm its plans to fully implement a maritime services ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
The UK has already committed to dispatch over 5,000 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) valued at £1.6bn across the next four years.