UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has said Britain stands behind Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after US President Donald Trump called for the Ukrainian leader to be replaced.
Key facts
- UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Britain stands behind Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- The statement follows Donald Trump's call for the Ukrainian president to be replaced.
- The US announced a controversial agreement to buy Russian diesel.
- Streeting said Ukrainians alone should decide who leads their country.
- Streeting suggested Trump faces domestic pressure over fuel prices ahead of US midterm elections.
Britain stands behind Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the UK defence secretary has said, after Donald Trump called for the Ukrainian president to be replaced and the US announced a controversial agreement to buy Russian diesel, according to the Guardian.
Wes Streeting backed the Ukrainian president and said the priority was to maintain western unity over the Russia conflict. He said Ukrainians alone should be able to decide who led their country.
Streeting indicated that Trump was facing domestic political pressure over fuel prices ahead of next month’s US midterm elections, the Guardian reported.
The comments come after the US president’s call for Zelenskyy to be replaced, a move that places strain on the appearance of unity among Western allies supporting Ukraine against Russia.
The US agreement to buy Russian diesel was described as controversial, and Streeting’s remarks framed the dispute in the context of the political pressures facing the Trump administration at home.
Why it matters
The exchange highlights potential divisions among Western allies over how to handle the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Britain's public backing of Zelenskyy signals an effort to maintain Western unity even as the US president questions Ukraine's leadership.
Frequently asked questions
What did Wes Streeting say about Zelenskyy?
The UK defence secretary said Britain stands behind Volodymyr Zelenskyy and that Ukrainians alone should be able to decide who leads their country.
Why did Trump call for a new Ukrainian leader?
The sources do not provide Trump's stated reasons. Streeting suggested Trump was facing domestic political pressure over fuel prices ahead of next month's US midterm elections.
What agreement did the US announce?
According to the Guardian, the US announced a controversial agreement to buy Russian diesel.