Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has hit out at US President Donald Trump over his “sickening” attack on Ukraine, after Mr Trump suggested Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should step down and announced a deal to buy Russian diesel.
On Saturday, Mr Trump told reporters that Ukraine “needs a new leader” and called for Mr Zelensky to be replaced, just hours after making a deal with Russia and its President Vladimir Putin to purchase Russian diesel. The US President also blamed Ukraine, the country invaded by Russia, for the worldwide surge in fuel prices, despite prices at the pump having jumped after Mr Trump launched an invasion of Iran, which led to the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz.
Johnson's response
In a post on X, Mr Johnson wrote: “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.”
Burnham's solidarity call
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reiterated his “complete solidarity” with Ukraine in a call with Mr Zelensky, following Mr Trump's announcement of the diesel deal. Mr Burnham said he recognised the past day had been “difficult for Ukraine” and the two discussed the importance of keeping up pressure on Russia.
A Downing Street spokesperson said on Saturday: “The Prime Minister spoke with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine today.
“The Prime Minister began by recognising the last 24 hours had been difficult for Ukraine and reiterated his complete solidarity.
“The two leaders next discussed the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia: the Prime Minister made it clear that the UK would continue to strengthen its sanctions on Russia and to take further action to constrain the Russian war machine, building on new UK designations against Russian targets announced this week.
“They underlined that Russia should agree to an immediate energy ceasefire, ending its brutal strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and its attacks on shipping in the Black Sea. This would immediately release more energy and food supplies into the global market.
“The two leaders agreed to meet in person in the coming days to continue their discussion.”
Zelensky's criticism and strikes
Mr Zelensky criticised Mr Trump's move, saying it “plays into Russia’s hands” and would prolong the war. Ukrainian officials said on Saturday that the latest Russian strikes had killed at least 17 people in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Speaking at the White House, Mr Trump said: “I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal”, adding that “for some reason (Zelensky) never does.” He added: “I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president.”
Mr Trump posted on social media saying he had struck the deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call. The call was expected to discuss a suspected case of plague in Russia, but instead Mr Trump said Moscow would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel, followed by an additional 500,000 tonnes in November and one million tonnes “immediately thereafter”. Russia will deliver an additional three million tonnes “within a short period of time” after that, he wrote.
The announcement came after Mr Trump signed a sweeping Russia sanctions law last month aimed at clamping down on the oil and gas revenues that fuel Russia’s war against Ukraine.
