UK rejects Trump's Russia diesel deal and vows to maintain sanctions

The UK government has rejected Donald Trump’s agreement with Vladimir Putin to purchase millions of tonnes of Russian diesel, insisting London will keep its sanctions in place against Moscow.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed the British position after the US president announced a deal to import up to 4.8 million tonnes of Russian fuel to ease domestic pump prices. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House, Streeting said the UK does not support the agreement and urged Western allies to focus on tightening economic pressure on Russia to shorten the war in Ukraine.

Streeting acknowledged that Trump faced domestic pressure over rising energy costs following the US conflict with Iran, but argued that lifting sanctions pressure on Moscow was the wrong approach.

Why Trump made the diesel deal with Russia

Trump announced the energy agreement following a phone call with Putin, posting on Truth Social that Russia had agreed to supply an initial 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately. A further 500,000 tonnes is scheduled for November, followed by another million tonnes, with potential total deliveries reaching 4.8 million tonnes depending on Russian refinery output.

The US administration sought the fuel imports to curb rising petrol and diesel prices triggered by recent military escalation involving the US, Israel and Iran. The Kremlin confirmed the discussions, with Putin stating that increased exports would benefit global energy markets.

Row over Volodymyr Zelensky's leadership

The deal drew immediate criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who warned that easing sanctions allows Moscow to fund its military and purchase weapons to continue the invasion.

In response to the criticism, Trump suggested Ukraine should replace its president with a leader willing to negotiate a settlement with Russia.

Streeting rejected Trump’s comments, describing Zelensky as a leader of courage and integrity. He said that while it is for Ukrainians to select their leadership, the UK’s responsibility during public disagreements between Washington and Kyiv is to bring allies together.

Conservative shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith also criticized Trump’s comments, stating that while the US remains Britain’s closest ally, calling for Zelensky’s removal and making fuel deals with Moscow sends the wrong message to authoritarian states.

UK defence spending and sanctions commitment

A UK government spokesperson confirmed in a separate statement that London’s sanctions regime—the toughest Britain has ever imposed—will remain unchanged. The government accused Moscow of rejecting ceasefires while targeting Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure.

Addressing Britain’s military readiness, Streeting stated the UK must plan its defence strategy around the possibility of a direct Russian attack on NATO member states by 2030.

He confirmed the government plans to address a £4.7bn defence funding shortfall in the upcoming Budget to support the Defence Investment Plan, while laying out a trajectory to raise defence spending to 3.5% of national income by 2035. Former chancellor John Healey had previously resigned as defence secretary after arguing the government needed to reach 3% of GDP by 2030. Streeting noted that committing to immediate spending hikes without clear funding sources would spook financial markets and drive up borrowing costs.