Starmer and Macron to Meet Trump Separately, Emphasizing Support for Ukraine
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will each meet with Donald Trump this week, reaffirming their commitment to a united European stance in support of Ukraine.
The two leaders spoke on Sunday, emphasizing that any negotiations to end the war must center on Ukraine, according to Downing Street. Their call, ahead of a critical week, signals a coordinated effort to counter Russia’s aggression—particularly after Trump recently dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “dictator without elections.”
Before he visited Washington, Starmer also held discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In their conversation, Starmer and Rutte agreed that "there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine" and stressed the need for European leaders to step up and ensure regional security.
Meanwhile, Russian and U.S. representatives have reportedly begun working on potential peace talks without Ukraine's involvement, sparking international backlash. The White House has also faced criticism for pressuring Zelenskyy to sign a $500 billion (£395 billion) minerals deal, which would grant the U.S. access to half of Ukraine’s mineral resources—an agreement Zelenskyy has yet to approve.
Trump further escalated tensions on Friday, claiming that Starmer and Macron “haven’t done anything” to help end the war in Ukraine. Despite this, Starmer and Macron agreed during their call that “the UK and Europe must continue stepping up to meet security needs and demonstrate united leadership against Russian aggression,” which they plan to discuss further during their U.S. visit.
Ahead of his trip—widely seen as a test of his leadership—Starmer reaffirmed his stance, telling reporters in Glasgow: “This week’s discussions will focus on the special relationship between our nations, the situation in Ukraine, and other shared priorities.” At the Scottish Labour conference, he reiterated his unwavering support for Ukraine, stating, “I’ve seen firsthand the devastation caused by Putin. That only strengthens my resolve to stand with Ukraine.”
Bridget Phillipson, the UK’s education secretary, acknowledged Trump’s efforts to re-engage with Vladimir Putin for potential peace talks, agreeing that “there can be no negotiated peace without Russia.”
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy—who was democratically elected in May 2019—hinted at a dramatic move, stating in a Kyiv press conference that he would be willing to step down as president if it meant securing peace for Ukraine. “If my departure brings peace, I am ready,” he said, even suggesting he could exchange his position for Ukraine’s NATO membership.
Labour MP Alex Sobel praised Zelenskyy’s selflessness, calling him a “great democrat” who puts Ukraine’s future ahead of personal power. However, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey condemned Trump’s stance, telling The Guardian: “Shame on Donald Trump for betraying Ukraine. President Zelenskyy should never have been placed in this position.”
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