UK and EU Back Zelensky as Trump Imports Russian Diesel

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband called on Western leaders to support Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the Warsaw Security Forum in Poland. Miliband urged the implementation of an energy ceasefire to protect civilians from winter blackouts, noting that Russia launched 200 attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in a single week. He described diplomatic relations with Washington as having been a "very difficult few days."

The diplomatic friction follows a decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to import Russian diesel to lower domestic fuel costs ahead of Congressional elections, amid price spikes caused by a U.S. war with Iran. Trump further escalated tensions by suggesting Ukraine needs a new leader and claiming Russian President Vladimir Putin is more interested in a peace deal than Zelensky.

President Volodymyr Zelensky argued that the diesel deal "plays into Russia’s hands" and that any support for Moscow hinders peace efforts. While Trump insisted an energy ceasefire is already in place because he declared it so, Zelensky reported that Russia continues to strike energy sites and cities, including a ballistic missile strike on Kyiv for which Ukraine received no early warning from partners. Zelensky noted that Ukraine refrained from striking Russian refineries for two days following the U.S. announcement, but maintained that intelligence on missile launches remains a critical issue for saving lives.