Ukraine support urged by UK defence chief in US rift

British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting urged the United States on October 15 to keep supporting Ukraine, saying at a CSIS event in Washington that it was in US short- and long-term interests.

Streeting said there was an "enormous opportunity" for the United States in support for Ukraine, including insight and defence industrial ties. He said Ukraine would contribute to American strength in military power and the defence industrial base.

He also warned that if aggression was rewarded, borders could be redrawn by force and national sovereignty became negotiable, the consequences would not remain confined to Ukraine.

The remarks came as relations between Washington and Kyiv have grown tense. President Donald Trump has called for Volodymyr Zelensky to be replaced after the Ukrainian leader criticised a US deal allowing more Russian diesel into global markets. Trump also accused Zelensky of ignoring instructions not to strike Russian refineries, while Kyiv and its European allies warned that easing pressure on Moscow would help fund the Kremlin's war.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham reiterated his "complete solidarity" with Zelensky over the weekend, and Downing Street said Britain would strengthen its sanctions on Russia.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 and now occupies roughly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.