British Prime Minister Andy Burnham phoned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday to pledge his "complete solidarity" — drawing a sharp line between London and Washington a day after Donald Trump unveiled a diesel supply deal with Vladimir Putin and declared that Ukraine needs "a new president."
According to a 10 Downing Street readout, Burnham acknowledged the past 24 hours had been difficult for Ukraine, promised Britain would keep strengthening sanctions against Russia, and agreed with Zelenskyy to meet in person in the coming days.
The rupture started Friday, when Trump announced that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel to the United States and global markets — followed by 500,000 tons in November, a million tons "immediately thereafter," and another three million tons "within a short period of time." The U.S. Treasury simultaneously issued a temporary license easing sanctions on Russian diesel trade through April 2027.
Trump framed it as relief for American fuel prices ahead of next month's midterm elections. Kyiv saw it very differently. Zelenskyy called the deal "a weak decision on the part of strong partners" and "a gift to Putin," warning that "allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged."
"Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilised world," Zelenskyy wrote on X. "Russia will 'repay' the diesel with further terror and perfidy."
Then Trump escalated. Speaking at the White House on Saturday, he said: "I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal." He accused Zelenskyy of failing to end the war and blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for driving up global diesel prices — "He'd better damn well stop," Trump said.
The timing stung. Trump's announcement landed while a Ukrainian delegation was in Miami meeting U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about ending the war. "I believe our team is simply being used as a smokescreen," Zelenskyy said. "And that is certainly not fair. It is certainly not how partners should treat each other."
Burnham wasn't the only ally pushing back. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said Zelenskyy "has the support of the Ukrainian people, and they have the right to decide." Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick said Zelenskyy has "the overwhelming support" of Congress and the American public. Sweden's prime minister regretted the deal, Germany recommitted to sanctions, and Poland's foreign minister questioned whether Russia — facing fuel shortages at home — could even deliver the promised diesel.
Britain's own Health Secretary Wes Streeting was candid about the politics driving Trump's move: "Midterms are coming up, cost of living is an issue... I think it's just a political reality." But retired General Sir Richard Barrons, a co-author of Britain's strategic defence review, warned the diesel money would buy "the missiles and drones that it fires at Ukraine" — and that more Ukrainians would be killed "for sure."
Burnham and Zelenskyy also called for an immediate energy ceasefire. Their in-person meeting in the coming days will test whether Britain can hold the Western sanctions line while Washington goes its own way.