The UK has vowed to "maintain pressure on Russia" through "the toughest sanctions regime" it had ever imposed, following Donald Trump's announcement of a deal to purchase diesel from Moscow.
Mr Trump revealed the agreement to buy in excess of one million tonnes of diesel from Russia on Friday, as soaring fuel prices piled political pressure on him ahead of next month's mid-term elections in the US.
UK response to the deal
In response to the announcement, a UK Government spokesperson stated that Britain's position "could not be clearer". They said: "We will continue working closely with international partners to ensure Ukraine has the military and financial support it needs to defend itself.
"We will also maintain pressure on Russia through the toughest sanctions regime ever imposed by the UK, increasing the cost of Putin's aggression and supporting efforts to secure a just and lasting peace."
Details of the agreement
Under Mr Trump's agreement, Russia will supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, with a further 500,000 tonnes to follow in November and one million tonnes "immediately thereafter".
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said the announcement would mean "Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be coming down, in record numbers, and fast".
Criticism from Ukraine
While no figure has been disclosed regarding how much the US will pay for the fuel, the deal will provide a much-needed financial boost for Russia's economy as it looks to sustain funding for its war against Ukraine. The agreement drew fierce criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who argued that relaxing sanctions on Moscow "without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia" was "an obvious weakness".
Mr Zelenskyy said: "It plays into Russia's hands – allowing it to kill more, wage war for longer, have even less respect for America, and inflict even greater losses and damage on the world."
He added: "Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilised world. Russia will 'repay' the diesel with further terror and perfidy. Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged."
A UK Government spokesperson responded: "Ukraine has repeatedly demonstrated it is serious about peace, but Russia has repeatedly rejected full and partial ceasefires while continuing attacks on Ukrainian civilians and energy.
"Russia could end this war today. We remain committed to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes and to working with partners to bring about a durable peace."
