UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has rejected Donald Trump's proposed diesel deal with Russia, saying the agreement contradicts efforts to increase pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Streeting said the US and its allies should instead focus on forcing Russia to end the conflict and secure Ukrainian freedom. Trump's arrangement would see America purchase millions of tonnes of diesel from Russia, aimed at lowering US fuel prices that have risen following US and Israeli military operations against Iran.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned the deal would allow Russia to raise funds for new military equipment. Trump responded by suggesting Ukraine should choose "a new leader" capable of negotiating peace with Russia. Streeting defended Zelensky's position, saying Ukrainians must decide their own leadership but praised him as someone of "calibre, courage and integrity". He placed responsibility for the war "squarely and solely with President Putin and his imperialist ambitions".
The defence secretary described disagreements between Washington and Kyiv as not unusual, saying the UK saw its role as bringing allies together. He emphasised America's substantial support for Ukraine through weapons provision, procurement, intelligence and diplomatic initiatives.
Conservative shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith also criticised Trump, calling the diesel deal wrong and saying it "sends out all the wrong messages". He argued that preventing conflict requires proper defence funding and preparation, not such arrangements.
Streeting warned the UK must plan defence spending assuming a potential Russian attack on Nato by 2030. He said strength offered the best deterrence but the government would not seek conflict.
The defence secretary confirmed the Budget would address a £4.7bn funding gap in the Defence Investment Plan. The government plans to set out a path toward spending 3.5% of national income on defence by 2035, though Streeting stopped short of committing to the 3% target by 2030, citing the need to show how such spending would be funded. He said announcing spending increases without explaining their financing would alarm financial markets and increase borrowing costs.