In a strategic move, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to visit the White House on Thursday, aiming to persuade President Donald Trump on the importance of including Kyiv and European leaders in ongoing discussions with Moscow about a lasting peace in Ukraine. This visit follows on the heels of French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron’s visit, highlighting the growing unease among European nations regarding Trump’s aggressive diplomatic engagements that may lean heavily towards concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
President Trump emphasized his intention to forge a mutually beneficial agreement, saying, “We’re going to do the best we can to make the best deal for both sides.” He emphasized the need for Ukraine to reclaim as much of its land as possible. However, his overtures towards Russia have stirred concerns among historical American allies who are adjusting to Trump’s “America First” policy agenda, which aims to overhaul U.S. foreign relations.
Recently, the Trump administration held bilateral talks with Russia without the direct involvement of Ukraine or other European allies, and notably refrained from supporting U.N. resolutions attributing blame to Russia for the ongoing conflict. This has resulted in a significant realignment of transatlantic relationships under Trump’s leadership.
Vice President JD Vance defended Trump’s diplomatic efforts, stressing that, “He hasn’t conceded anything to anyone. He’s doing the job of a diplomat.”
As part of his visit, Starmer is scheduled to meet with Trump just a day before the President’s Friday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They are expected to finalize an agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical minerals, pivotal for industries like aerospace and defense. The deal has been a point of contention as Zelenskyy sought explicit security assurances from the United States. However, Trump remained noncommittal, noting, “I’m not going to make security guarantees … very much. We’re going to have Europe do that.”
If an armistice emerges, Starmer and Macron have agreed to possibly send troops on a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine to prevent further escalation between Ukraine and Russia. Starmer confirmed that he would convene a summit of international leaders in the U.K. on Sunday with a focus on Ukraine, an event that Zelenskyy is scheduled to attend.
Starmer’s visit also spills over into defense spending, with the U.K. planning to increase military investment to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, surpassing earlier projections, and reaching 3% by 2035, likely appealing to Trump who has criticized European defense spending levels.
Further discussions will touch on economic stability, secure borders, national security, and potential collaborations in AI and advanced technologies. “The world is becoming ever more dangerous, and it is more important than ever that we are united with our allies,” Starmer indicated. He stressed the opportunities for strengthening the special relationship between the nations to drive growth and enhance security.
Starmer is enthusiastic about exploring technology and AI partnerships, aspiring for shared ambitious missions across technologies like quantum and AI, as well as enhanced cooperation on space ventures. Notably, the U.K. is maneuvering to distance itself from the EU’s stringent AI regulations, positioning itself as a leader in the field. The UK’s decision not to join a joint AI declaration at a summit in Paris demonstrated its alignment with the US’s stance and its aim to attract American tech investments. Starmer is expected to advocate for deeper technological integration between the two nations to maintain top-tier, ambitious tech sectors globally.
