The United Kingdom does not support US President Donald Trump’s decision to purchase large quantities of diesel from Russia, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has said, as London seeks to maintain pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine.
Streeting said the UK would have preferred a stronger approach on sanctions against Russia, while acknowledging that the US administration is under domestic pressure to reduce fuel and living costs ahead of the November midterm elections.
Streeting Criticises Russia Diesel Agreement
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House, Streeting said the UK was not informed in advance about the US-Russia arrangement.
Asked whether Britain supported the deal, the Defence Secretary said the UK would “obviously prefer a stronger approach on sanctions” against Russia.
He said the agreement had to be viewed in the context of the approaching US midterm elections and pressure on governments to address rising energy prices and the cost of living.
Streeting described this as a political reality but said the UK’s position remained focused on maintaining pressure on Russia and supporting Ukraine.
UK Wants Western Allies to Remain United
Despite its disagreement with Washington over the diesel arrangement, Streeting said Britain did not want the dispute to undermine cooperation between the United States, Ukraine and other Western allies.
“Our approach, our role, our responsibility in this situation is to try and bring our friends back together,” he said, according to ITV.
He said maintaining unity among Ukraine’s allies was important as Western countries continue efforts to increase economic pressure on Russia and support Kyiv.
Streeting also stressed that the United States remains deeply involved in supporting Ukraine, including through military procurement and diplomatic efforts.
He cautioned against overstating the immediate impact of the diesel decision on wider US support for Kyiv.
UK Maintains Tough Russia Sanctions
The British government has separately made clear that it will continue its own sanctions policy against Russia.
A UK government spokesperson said Britain would maintain what it described as its toughest-ever sanctions regime while continuing to work with international partners to support Ukraine.
The government said it would continue efforts to increase the cost to Russia of its war and support a lasting peace.
Britain has also been moving toward a full ban on imports of refined oil products made from Russian crude in third countries.
Under the UK's announced timetable, a temporary licence allowing certain diesel and jet-fuel imports is due to expire by January 1, 2027, although the government said it would continue reviewing the licence and could end it earlier.
Trump Says Deal Will Ease US Fuel Prices
Trump has defended the arrangement as a way of increasing diesel supplies and reducing fuel prices in the United States.
According to reports, the US president said Russia would provide more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel initially, followed by additional shipments in November and beyond.
The move followed a period of higher energy prices linked to disruptions in global energy markets.
Trump has also blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries for contributing to pressure on fuel supplies and has called on Ukraine to stop targeting Russian energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy Condemns the Deal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strongly criticised the US-Russia diesel arrangement, arguing that increased Russian energy revenues could provide Moscow with additional resources to continue its war.
The disagreement has contributed to a fresh public dispute between Trump and Zelenskyy.
Trump subsequently said Ukraine needed a new president who could reach an agreement with Russia, a position that Streeting rejected by stressing that Ukrainians themselves should determine who leads their country.
Streeting said Britain stands with Ukraine and President Zelenskyy, while identifying Russia as the aggressor in the conflict.
Britain Seeks to Repair US-Ukraine Relations
Streeting said the UK's role should be to help bring Washington and Kyiv back together rather than allow disagreements over the diesel deal to deepen divisions among Ukraine's supporters.
The British government has already reiterated its solidarity with Ukraine, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham speaking to Zelenskyy and pledging continued British support.
The latest disagreement comes at a sensitive moment for Western policy toward Russia, with the United States pursuing its own approach to fuel prices while Britain continues to tighten restrictions on Russian oil-related revenues.
For London, the challenge is to maintain pressure on Moscow while keeping the broader coalition supporting Ukraine intact.
Streeting's comments indicate that Britain intends to continue its sanctions policy while working to prevent the dispute between Trump and Zelenskyy from damaging cooperation among Ukraine's allies.
