When Keir Starmer first met Donald Trump, they shared a friendly dinner in Trump’s luxurious New York apartment. As the two leaders are set to meet again at the White House, the atmosphere will be much more tense. This meeting will take place shortly after the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, amidst high tensions at the United Nations and during a tumultuous period for transatlantic relationships.

Starmer aims to ease these tensions, partly by refraining from directly addressing Trump’s controversial statements about Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his remarks on Macron.

Despite these difficulties, officials believe Starmer’s diplomatic and negotiation skills will be essential in balancing the UK’s interests and maintaining a good relationship with the US president. The success of the meeting could also have significant implications domestically.

Starmer has emphasized the importance of personal relationships in diplomacy, and his team is aware that he must ‘play the man’ as well as the situation. They believe it is crucial for Trump to feel victorious at the end of the meeting, whether the topic is Ukraine, trade, or China.

The prime minister will also convey strong messages during his meetings with Trump, emphasizing Ukraine’s importance in any negotiations with Russia and cautioning against trusting Putin. He will argue that this is in the US’s best interest, as Ukraine’s future is a vital issue for European security.

Starmer might also appeal to Trump’s vanity, suggesting that a fair outcome would reflect positively on the president’s legacy. History would likely judge any deal that emboldens Putin as unfavorable.

The meeting will undoubtedly be a test for Starmer’s diplomatic abilities, and the outcome will likely be immediately apparent after their joint press conference.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/24/starmers-meeting-with-trump-will-be-pms-biggest-diplomatic-test-to-date