UK vows tougher Russia sanctions, calls for energy ceasefire in Ukraine

LONDON — British Prime Minister Andy Burnham reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s support for Ukraine during a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, pledging to intensify sanctions against Russia and calling for a ceasefire covering attacks on energy infrastructure.According to a statement from 10 Downing Street, Burnham expressed solidarity with Ukraine following Russia’s latest attacks and discussed efforts to maintain economic and diplomatic pressure on Moscow.The two leaders emphasized the importance of strengthening sanctions against Russia, building on measures announced earlier this week.The British government said it was prepared to take additional steps to restrict Russia’s ability to finance and sustain its military operations in Ukraine.London also called on Moscow to agree to an energy ceasefire that would halt attacks on energy facilities and protect critical infrastructure.The statement stressed that Ukrainian infrastructure and maritime trade in the Black Sea should not be targeted, adding that an agreement to halt attacks on energy facilities could have a positive impact on global markets.Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband reiterated London’s support for Kyiv during talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in northern Ukraine.“The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and will continue to stand with them until they prevail,” Miliband wrote on X following the meeting.The British statements came after US President Donald Trump described his Friday phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “extremely successful.”Trump said the two sides had reached an agreement under which Russia would immediately supply hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel fuel to the United States and global markets, with millions of additional tons potentially following, depending on the condition of Russian refineries.Zelenskyy criticized the agreement, warning that easing sanctions on Moscow without securing a de-escalation agreement would represent an “obvious weakness.”LONDON — British Prime Minister Andy Burnham reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s support for Ukraine during a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, pledging to intensify sanctions against Russia and calling for a ceasefire covering attacks on energy infrastructure.According to a statement from 10 Downing Street, Burnham expressed solidarity with Ukraine following Russia’s latest attacks and discussed efforts to maintain economic and diplomatic pressure on Moscow.The two leaders emphasized the importance of strengthening sanctions against Russia, building on measures announced earlier this week.The British government said it was prepared to take additional steps to restrict Russia’s ability to finance and sustain its military operations in Ukraine.London also called on Moscow to agree to an energy ceasefire that would halt attacks on energy facilities and protect critical infrastructure.The statement stressed that Ukrainian infrastructure and maritime trade in the Black Sea should not be targeted, adding that an agreement to halt attacks on energy facilities could have a positive impact on global markets.Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband reiterated London’s support for Kyiv during talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in northern Ukraine.“The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and will continue to stand with them until they prevail,” Miliband wrote on X following the meeting.The British statements came after US President Donald Trump described his Friday phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “extremely successful.”Trump said the two sides had reached an agreement under which Russia would immediately supply hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel fuel to the United States and global markets, with millions of additional tons potentially following, depending on the condition of Russian refineries.Zelenskyy criticized the agreement, warning that easing sanctions on Moscow without securing a de-escalation agreement would represent an “obvious weakness.”