Keir Starmer has spoken out in support of US President Donald Trump, stating that he “likes and respects” him and comprehends his goals. The UK Prime Minister made these comments during an interview with the New York Times, where he acknowledged that Trump has a point about European countries needing to do more for their own defense, though he added that it would be a mistake to take sides either with Europe or the US. Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy dismissed Starmer’s proposal for a “coalition of the willing” to back a Ukraine ceasefire as mere posturing, and criticized comparisons to Winston Churchill. The Labour government has not commented on Steve Witkoff’s remarks, who defended the Russian president Vladimir Putin, stating that he doesn’t “regard Putin as a bad guy”. The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said that the UK is committed to ensuring any peace agreement in Ukraine can be enforced, with the US playing a critical role. Starmer’s interview was a prominent feature on the New York Times website, where he emphasized the need to treat the current situation as a moment to galvanize action, as the possibility of conflict had been anticipated since 2022. The interview also covered Starmer’s rapport with Trump, acknowledging their good relationship and mutual respect despite their differences.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/23/keir-starmer-says-he-likes-and-respects-donald-trump