Britain’s Starmer ‘Fed Up’ With Trump, Putin Over Energy Crisis

As Trump’s attacks on the British PM intensify, the transatlantic rift could be deepening as the latter tacitly hits back in what may have been a slip of the tongue remark. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to the media on the situation in the Middle East, at Downing Street in central London on March 16, 2026. (Photo by Brook Mitchell / POOL / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he is “fed up” with US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin on Thursday in what might have been a slip of the tongue remark. Speaking with ITV’s Robert Peston, Starmer said he has been “fed up” with the two over the energy crisis caused by the US’s war in Iran. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy, businesses’ bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world,” Starmer said. The remarks follow earlier criticisms of Starmer by Trump, who called Starmer a “ loser ” for refusing US forces to use British bases in the region in its Iran operations, a stance Starmer held firm by saying the Iran conflict is “ not our war .” Starmer warned of a looming energy crisis for the UK in a national address on April 1. Starmer also hit back at Israel on Thursday for violating the ceasefire by hitting Lebanon after the two-week ceasefire was announced hours prior. “That should stop – that’s my strong view – and therefore, the question isn’t a technical one of whether it’s a breach of the agreement or not,” Starmer said of the conflict in Iran. Tehran accused Israel of breaching the truce with unprecedented strikes across Lebanon on Thursday, a claim rejected by both Israel and the US, which argue Lebanon was not part of the agreement – despite Pakistan, the key mediator, saying otherwise. Other Topics of Interest Jet Fuel Crisis to Hit Europe in Coming Weeks Industry representatives warned the crisis could hit Europe within three weeks, stressing that reopening the Strait of Hormuz remains key as European leaders scramble for a response. Reopening the Strait of Hormuz Global fuel prices have skyrocketed after the Iran war as Tehran blocked off the Strait of Hormuz, an artery of international oil trade. Starmer has previously hinted at initiatives to reopen the strait without the US’s involvement, though he also briefed Trump on the initiative during a call on Thursday. “We’ve been pulling ⁠together a coalition of countries ... working on ​a political, diplomatic plan, but also looking ​at military capabilities and ... the logistics of actually moving vessels through the Strait,” Starmer said on Friday during his visit to the Gulf states, according to Reuters . “That was the ​focus of the discussion last night – reflection on what ‌I’ve ⁠been discussing here, but also that focus on a practical plan in relation to navigation through the Strait,” he added, referring to his call with Trump. A Downing Street spokesperson told The Guardian that the two “discussed the need for a practical plan” without providing details on said plan. “The prime minister spoke to President Trump from Qatar this evening. The prime minister set out his discussions with Gulf leaders and military planners in the region on the need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the UK’s efforts to convene partners to agree a viable plan,” the person said. “They agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the strait, we are at the next stage of finding a resolution. The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible.” A week prior, Starmer said Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was set to convene a meeting with allies on reopening the strait, though there is little public information on the details and as to how far the talks have progressed. Leo Chiu is a journalist and editor based in Eastern Europe since 2015. He has witnessed two presidential elections in Belarus and traveled widely to conflict zones and contested regions, producing reporting that bridges the gap between major developments and local realities.