Five years after its exit from the European Union, Britain is seemingly embracing its old role on the global stage, navigating the uncertain geopolitical landscape following President Trump’s upheaval of the trans-Atlantic alliance with his overtures to Russia and rift with Ukraine. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, taking cues from Tony Blair’s premature attempts to mediate between Bush and European leaders on Iraq, may face a similar balancing act as he endeavors to marshal European support against Russian aggression while maintaining solidarity with the U.S.

Starmer’s diplomatic efforts to form a coalition of willing countries to safeguard Ukraine from potential Russian aggression might revive Britain’s pre-Brexit postseason as a mediator between the U.S. and Europe. His strategy entails organizing a virtual summit of international leaders to rally support for mitigating the Ukraine conflict, though the feasibility of realizing a lasting peace in this context is uncertain given President Putin’s reaction to proposed truces and the Europe-focused opposition from the U.S.

There are concerns that Starmer is vulnerable to President Trump’s erratic behavior, which poses significant challenges to his diplomatic efforts. However, Starmer’s experienced national security adviser Jonathan Powell, who was critical in Blair’s earlier endeavors, might better equip Starmer to navigate these geopolitical uncertainties.

Despite Starmer’s cautious re-engagement with the EU after Brexit, aimed at avoiding agitation among his constituents, the recent global tensions have galvanized some cooperation. While he faces hurdles in redefining Britain’s role in the global arena, Starmer’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, and could potentially lead to deeper British involvement in European defense initiatives.

Overall, while Starmer’s approach has the potential to revitalize Britain’s diplomatic influence, it is fraught with the challenge of reconciling Britain’s post-Brexit stance with its role as a strategic trans-Atlantic ally.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/15/world/europe/uk-europe-trump.html