Britain backs Zelenskyy after Trump calls for a new Ukrainian leader

Britain has said it supports Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after US President Donald Trump called for Ukraine to choose a new leader.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Ukrainians alone should decide who leads their country.

Trump blamed Zelenskyy for failing to end the war and said Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries had pushed up US diesel prices.

The US has announced an agreement to buy Russian diesel, which Zelenskyy said would help Russia finance its war.

Streeting said Britain would prefer stronger sanctions on Russia but also stressed the importance of keeping Western countries united.

A British military expert warned that Russian energy income helps fund attacks on Ukraine.

Britain’s prime minister, Andy Burnham, has pledged stronger sanctions, and the leaders of Britain and Ukraine are due to meet in person in the coming days.