Burnham brands Trump deal with Putin a ‘dark moment’ for Ukraine as he meets with Zelensky

DAILYMAIL.COM • 3h ago

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT 13:05 14 Oct 2026, updated 13:07 14 Oct 2026

Andy Burnham today branded Donald Trump’s deal with Vladimir Putin a ‘dark moment’ for Ukraine as he vowed to ‘repair bridges’ between the US and Ukraine.

The US President has eased sanctions on Russian diesel ahead of crucial mid-term elections in America, which have been overshadowed by soaring fuel prices.

In recent days, Mr Trump has suggested Ukraine needs a new leader to replace Volodymyr Zelensky and claimed Mr Putin wants a peace deal more than Kyiv.

Ukraine on Wednesday accused the US of assisting Russia’s war effort after key internet services were ‘throttled’ overnight.

A speed limit introduced on some Starlink services – owned by Trump ally Elon Musk’s SpaceX – is said to have left Kyiv with little or no warning of Russian attacks.

Mr Burnham is set to meet with Mr Zelensky in Downing Street later on Wednesday in a public display of Britain’s ongoing support for Ukraine.

Speaking in the House of Commons ahead of his talks with the Ukrainian President, the Prime Minister said Mr Zelensky was ‘carrying the heaviest of weights right now’.

He also set out his intent to try and fix relations between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky, as he told MPs he was being ‘careful’ in his language.

‘I called him on Saturday because I recognised it was another very dark and difficult moment for him as they contemplate a winter that will be severe for his people,’ the PM said.

‘I recognise that he is carrying the heaviest of weights right now and it is extremely difficult for him.

‘What I have to do in my role is try and repair bridges so that the support comes back. So I should, at this moment in time, be careful in terms of laying the ground to bring people back together.

‘That is the role I intend to play, it’s the right role for me to play in this moment. I will listen to President Zelensky carefully, but he won’t be going away from Britain today empty-handed.’

Mr Burnham made the comments after being challenged by Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey to condemn Mr Trump’s ‘shameful’ betrayal of Ukraine.

‘Scared of the mid-terms, President Trump has done a deal with Vladimir Putin to buy Russian diesel, ripping up international sanctions against Putin,’ Sir Ed said.

‘The PM studiously avoided commenting on Trump’s behaviour on Monday.

‘But this House does deserve to know his position as does, frankly, President Zelensky and our brave Ukrainian allies.

‘So let me ask the PM this, doesn’t he agree this is yet another shameful Trump betrayal of the Ukrainian people and European security?’

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