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As UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares for a pivotal meeting with US President Donald Trump this week, he has firmly stated that Ukraine must be “at the heart” of any peace deal negotiations with Russia. Starmer’s comments, made in a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, come ahead of a high-stakes conversation with Trump in Washington on Thursday.
During their call, Starmer emphasized the importance of protecting Ukraine’s sovereignty as a deterrent to further Russian aggression. Downing Street confirmed that Starmer would bring this message to the White House, aiming to keep the UK’s stance aligned with its European allies in the face of Trump’s recent remarks downplaying Zelenskyy’s role in peace talks.
A Test of Diplomacy for Starmer
Starmer’s meeting with Trump represents a major diplomatic challenge, as the UK looks to navigate tensions with the US over Ukraine. The UK government is expected to reaffirm its commitment to increasing defense spending to 2.5% of GDP, in line with Labour’s election manifesto. Additionally, Starmer will invite Trump for a second state visit to the UK from King Charles.
This meeting will be Starmer’s biggest diplomatic test yet, as he strives to balance maintaining a good relationship with Trump while setting clear European red lines on Ukraine. Starmer is also expected to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of his talks with Trump to align Europe’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
UK Sanctions and Continued Support for Ukraine
In a show of strength, the UK government will announce the largest sanctions package against Russia since the conflict began. Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who may accompany Starmer to Washington, outlined that the sanctions aim to cripple Russia’s military capabilities by targeting its revenues.
“We remain committed to providing £3bn of military support annually to strengthen Ukraine’s position,” Lammy said. “We will also work with US and European partners to secure a just and sustainable peace, while ensuring Ukraine’s voice remains central in negotiations.”
Trump’s Controversial Stance on Ukraine
The US president has been at odds with both European leaders and Zelenskyy over the future of Ukraine. Trump has faced backlash for his dismissive comments about Zelenskyy, even suggesting that Ukraine’s president is not important to peace talks. Trump’s rhetoric and policy push for Ukraine to sign a controversial $500bn minerals deal with the US have raised tensions, with Zelenskyy rejecting the terms due to lack of security guarantees.
Meanwhile, US officials have reportedly threatened to cut Ukraine off from the Starlink satellite internet system, which would significantly hamper Ukraine’s military efforts. Ukrainian officials have condemned the threat as “blackmail,” emphasizing the vital role Starlink plays in their ability to conduct battlefield operations.
Growing Support for Zelenskyy in Ukraine
Despite Trump’s attacks, Zelenskyy’s approval rating in Ukraine has surged, with 63% of Ukrainians now supporting him, a sharp contrast to Trump’s claims. A recent Opinium poll found that a significant majority of the UK public disapproves of the Trump administration’s handling of the Ukraine crisis, with 56% voicing dissatisfaction.
As the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches, Starmer’s approach to the Trump meeting could have long-lasting implications for UK-US relations and the future of the conflict. With a potential military escalation on the horizon, the stakes have never been higher for Ukraine, the UK, and the international community.
Source: The Guardian
