Miliband Distances UK From Trump’s Decision To Ease Sanctions On Russia

Ed Miliband made it clear Britain will not be following Donald Trump’s example by easing sanctions on Russia.

The US president has temporarily relaxed penalties on Moscow to help its oil trade while the Iran conflict puts global supplies under pressure.

The controversial move risks undermining a united western effort to punish Vladimir Putin for his brutal invasion of Ukraine.

But, due to Trump’s aggression against Iran, Tehran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, which carries approximately a fifth of the global oil supply, by attacking any ships using the waterway.

The cost of oil has skyrocketed just two weeks after the US and Israel’s strikes on Iran.

Russia used to supply much of Europe with cheap oil, but the continent weaned itself off such exports in the wake of the Ukraine war.

Miliband, the energy security and net zero secretary, told Sky News: “We’ve not lifted our sanctions against Russia because it is very, very important that we continue to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people

“This was an illegal invasion launched more than four years ago. Our solidarity with the Ukrainian people has been incredibly important throughout these four years,”

“We continue to believe that for the good the UK, we continue to maintain sanctions on Russia. We think it is incredibly important that we send a clear message to Putin on these questions.”

On Trump’s call for allies to send warships to help reopen the strait of Hormuz, Miliband simply said it is important to reopen the waterway and the UK is working with European leaders and Gulf partners.

“We need to de-escalate this crisis, because the best and most conclusive way to get the strait reopened is to get this conflict it to end,” he said.