10/10/2026
📢 BOARD STATEMENT 📢 Re: Arrangement between President Trump and the Russian Federation for the supply of diesel fuel.
The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) expresses its unequivocal condemnation of the recently announced arrangement between President Trump and the Russian Federation for the supply of diesel fuel. At a moment when the United Kingdom and its allies have worked tirelessly to uphold a robust and principled sanctions regime against Russia, this deal represents a deeply damaging step backwards. It threatens to undermine the collective international effort to restrict the Kremlin’s ability to wage its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.
The proposed diesel supply arrangement would directly fuel Russia’s war economy. Energy revenues remain one of the Kremlin’s most significant sources of funding for its military infrastructure. Any weakening of pressure on Russia’s energy sector risks prolonging the conflict and intensifying civilian suffering. Recent weeks have once again exposed the devastating human cost of Russia’s campaign: overnight airstrikes in Kyiv and surrounding regions continue to kill and injure civilians, including children. UN monitoring confirms that July 2026 was the deadliest month for civilians since 2022, with 437 killed and 2,610 injured, driven by intensified missile and drone attacks on urban centres far from the frontline.
These are not abstract statistics. They represent families shattered, communities displaced, and lives extinguished by a war that Russia continues to fuel—literally and figuratively. Any international agreement that enables Russia to expand its diesel exports will only deepen this suffering. As Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has warned, “Weak strategies never deliver strong results, just as appeasement never brings peace.”
We reaffirm our strong appreciation for the United Kingdom’s steadfast support for Ukraine. British leadership has been instrumental in maintaining and strengthening sanctions that limit Russia’s capacity to finance its military operations. The UK’s commitment to sustained diplomatic, economic, and military pressure has been vital to Ukraine’s defence and to the protection of civilians across the country.
AUGB therefore calls on the UK Government to maintain its principled leadership by reaffirming its commitment to the toughest possible sanctions regime. We urge ministers to work closely with international partners to ensure that no external arrangements—commercial or political—undermine the pressure essential to curbing Russia’s capacity for violence.
The Ukrainian community in Britain remains profoundly grateful for the UK’s unwavering support. We trust that the Government will continue to stand firmly with Ukraine and uphold the values of freedom, sovereignty, and human dignity that unite our nations.
Slava Ukraini!
AUGB Board of Directors
London, 10 October 2026
