Sir Keir Starmer arrives in Washington for talks with President Trump - and repeats calls for a security guarantee for Ukraine

 

Sir Keir Starmer to Meet President Trump in Washington Amid Key UK-US Talks

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in Washington for his first meeting with President Donald Trump since the US leader’s inauguration last month. The discussions are expected to play a crucial role in shaping UK-US relations over the next four years.

Speaking at the British ambassador’s residence, Sir Keir emphasized the shared values between the two nations. "We want to work with you, we want to welcome you to Britain," he said. "We want a new partnership because history shows that when we work together, great things happen."

Despite growing tensions between the White House and Europe over Ukraine, Sir Keir expressed confidence in the US-UK alliance, stating he wanted the "special relationship" to strengthen. "We are working in lockstep with the president on Ukraine," he told reporters ahead of his White House meeting.

When asked if he could trust President Trump given recent events, Sir Keir replied, "Yes. I’ve got a good relationship with him. I’ve met him, spoken to him on the phone, and our countries have a deep, long-standing bond—one forged through wars fought together and trade partnerships."

However, even before Sir Keir’s arrival, signs of friction emerged. President Trump downplayed the prospect of a US military backstop for Ukraine, a key demand from the UK and Europe. At his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday, he remarked, "I'm not going to make security guarantees beyond very much. We're going to have Europe do that because Europe is the next-door neighbor."

This appeared to contradict Sir Keir’s position. En route to Washington, he reiterated the importance of a security guarantee for Ukraine, stating, "We all want a peaceful outcome, but it must be lasting. A strong backstop is essential to deter Putin from striking again. Without it, he could simply wait and launch another attack."

While European allies like the UK and France prepare to deploy peacekeeping forces to Ukraine’s borders, securing US support remains a key goal of Sir Keir’s visit. President Zelenskyy has also called for explicit US military backing in security agreements linked to a critical minerals deal with the US, but a recently agreed framework omitted any clear commitment.

In a move to align with NATO demands and strengthen ties with the US, Sir Keir pledged to increase UK defense spending ahead of the visit. He reaffirmed Britain's willingness to play its part, including committing British troops to Ukraine.

"When it comes to defense and security, the UK has long acted as a bridge between the US and Europe," he said. "I’ve been clear that we will not choose between one side of the Atlantic and the other. We will work with the US, and we will work with our European allies, just as we have for decades."

Sir Keir also reassured the British public about the decision to accelerate defense spending in response to Russian aggression. "This is about ensuring national security. But it’s also an opportunity—greater defense investment will drive job creation across the UK, supporting well-paid positions in the defense sector."

As Sir Keir heads into discussions with President Trump, the success of his visit will likely be measured by whether he can secure stronger US commitments on Ukraine while maintaining Britain’s role as a key player in transatlantic security.