Boris Johnson has condemned US President Donald Trump's diesel deal with Russia as "sickening" and "outrageous", accusing him of forcing American drivers to bankroll Vladimir Putin's slaughter.
The former Prime Minister said lifting sanctions on Kremlin fuel and importing millions of tons of diesel into the US was an "outrageous" decision, and urged the Royal Navy to intercept any Russian fuel ships in the English Channel.
Johnson's attack on Trump's energy ceasefire
Johnson's comments came after Trump claimed an "energy ceasefire" had been agreed between Russia and Ukraine, under which both sides would stop attacking each other's energy infrastructure.
However, any ceasefire appeared to be in tatters, with reports that Russia has since struck a power plant in Kyiv, followed by strikes on other energy facilities in the Kharkiv region.
Call for Royal Navy to intercept Russian ships
Johnson said: "The double standards are outrageous. Why should Putin be allowed to destroy Ukrainian energy infrastructure - as well as murdering countless civilians - if the Ukrainians are forbidden from responding?"
He added: "I doubt that Putin has the diesel to ship to the US but if he tries to go via the English Channel I hope it is intercepted by the Royal Navy."
Johnson also said: "The Ukrainians are valiantly trying to protect themselves and their families from threats of bombardment. We should be helping them and the best way to get this over and get the price of fuel down is to make Putin see sense. It's ridiculous to try to appease Putin and it won't make a bean of difference to the price of fuel."
Zelensky's response and Trump's retort
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal a "gift to Putin" that "played into Russia's hands" and would extend the war.
In response, Trump said it was "time for Ukraine to get a new president".
