Keir Starmer has set the stage for a crucial meeting with US President Donald Trump this week by emphasizing the importance of putting Ukraine at the forefront of any Russia-Ukraine conflict negotiations. His stance directly contrasts with comments made by Trump recently. During a phone call with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last Saturday, Starmer underscored that safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty is crucial to preventing future aggression from Russia. The prime minister’s office confirmed that these strong messages would also be delivered during his meeting with Trump at the White House on Thursday.
Starmer is expected to inform Trump that the UK plans to increase its defense spending to 2.5% of the gross domestic product, in line with a commitment made by Labour in their election manifesto. Additionally, Starmer is likely to extend an invitation to Trump for a second state visit to the UK on behalf of King Charles.
This meeting represents a significant challenge for Starmer as he navigates the delicate balance of maintaining good relations with Trump while clearly stating the UK and Europe’s red lines regarding Ukraine and Russia. Before his meeting with Trump, Starmer might also communicate with French President Emmanuel Macron to align on a common European position on the conflict. Starmer has previously spoken with the European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen, agreeing on the need for Europe to bolster Ukraine’s security.
The dialogue between Starmer and Trump comes amidst a backdrop of heightened rhetoric and tension. The US President has been criticized for his dismissal of Zelenskyy’s leadership and relevance in the peace process. Despite initial resistance, Zelenskyy is now being pressured by the US to agree to a $500 billion minerals deal, which would see Ukraine giving up half of its mineral resources. However, Zelenskyy has refused to sign, arguing that the agreement lacks clear security guarantees from the US.
Reuters has reported that the US has also threatened to cut Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet services if the agreement is not accepted. This move is viewed by Ukrainian officials as a form of blackmail, with potentially disastrous implications for Ukraine’s military operations. Faced with this threat, Ukraine is exploring alternative measures to ensure its communication lines remain secure.
In response to Trump’s aggressive stance, Zelenskyy’s approval ratings among Ukrainians have surged to 63%, according to recent polls. Meanwhile, an Opinium poll for the Observer shows that more than half of UK voters disapprove of the Trump administration’s handling of the Ukraine issue, with a significant majority advocating for an increase in defense spending.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/22/keir-starmer-lays-down-ukraine-peace-demand-ahead-of-trump-talks
