Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned Donald Trump's decision to buy more than one million tonnes of diesel from Russia, calling it "an obvious weakness" that plays into Moscow's hands. The UK has responded by vowing to "maintain pressure on Russia" through "the toughest sanctions regime" it has ever implemented.
Trump announced the agreement to purchase over one million tonnes of diesel from Russia on Friday, as rising fuel prices heaped 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 spokesperson for the UK Government stated that Britain's stance "could not be clearer". They declared: "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."
The deal will result in Russia providing more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by an additional 500,000 tonnes in November and one million tonnes "immediately thereafter".
Zelensky's criticism
In a message on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed the announcement would mean "Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be coming down, in record numbers, and fast". While no figure has been disclosed for how much the US will pay for the fuel, the deal will offer a much needed financial boost for Russia's economy as it aims to continue financing its war in Ukraine.
The agreement drew fierce criticism from Zelensky, who declared that relaxing sanctions on Moscow "without a clear and lasting de-escalation agreement with Russia" represented "an obvious weakness". He stated: "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 continued: "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."
UK commitment to Ukraine
A UK Government spokesperson declared: "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."
