Starmer to discuss Ukraine with Trump amid EU US concerns

WASHINGTON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, with discussions centering on the ongoing pursuit of peace in Ukraine. Starmer intends to persuade Trump of the importance of including Ukrainian leaders and European allies in the negotiation processes with Russia.

Following closely on the heels of French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron’s visit, Starmer’s appearance in Washington underscores the apprehension growing among European nations. There is a collective concern that Trump’s assertive approach to resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine may lead to significant concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“We’re going to do the best we can to make the best deal we can for both sides,” Trump emphasized during his first Cabinet meeting of his second tenure. “For Ukraine, we’re going to try very hard to make a good deal so that they can get as much land back as possible.”

However, Trump’s apparent overtures toward Russia have unsettled long-standing U.S. allies in Europe, now faced with adapting to his “America First” ideology that aims to transform U.S. foreign policy. Recently, the U.S. engaged in talks with Russia without the presence of Ukrainian or other European representatives. Furthermore, this week saw the U.S. abstaining from joining U.N. resolutions blaming Russia for the ongoing conflict. Trump’s administration has resisted claims that it is sidelining Europe, or that a quick settlement with Putin is overly prioritized.

“He hasn’t conceded anything to anyone,” stated Vice President JD Vance, defending Trump’s diplomatic efforts.

A significant meeting is anticipated on Friday between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where they are slated to agree on a deal granting U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical minerals essential for industries like aerospace and nuclear energy. Although Zelenskyy hesitated to approve the agreement without specific U.S. security assurances, Trump has remained vague regarding any forthcoming guarantees.

“I’m not going to make security guarantees … very much,” Trump stated, indicating a preference for European nations to step into such roles.

In pursuit of a potential truce, both Starmer and Macron have indicated readiness to deploy troops to Ukraine for a peacekeeping mission, ensuring no resurgence of hostilities between Ukraine and Russia. Additionally, Starmer is set to preside over an international gathering in the U.K. focused on Ukraine, which Zelenskyy is expected to participate in.

Reassuring its stance on defense, the U.K. has committed to increasing military expenditure, a move likely to align with Trump’s views. By 2027, the U.K. aims to allocate 2.5% of its GDP to defense, reaching 3% by 2035.

Beyond the Ukraine conflict, discussions are poised to address broad topics such as economic stability, border security, and advancements in technology, including AI. Starmer is poised to assert the necessity for Europe to enhance its defense contributions for collective security.

“The world is becoming ever more dangerous, and it is more important than ever that we are united with our allies,” Starmer noted. He highlighted opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties, boost economic growth and security, and improve conditions for citizens in both nations.

Starmer’s agenda also includes exploring technology and AI partnerships, with a focus on ambitious endeavors in fields like quantum computing and space exploration. The U.K.’s departure from the European Union’s stringent AI regulations represents a strategic move to become a global leader in technology. Recently, Britain aligned with the U.S. in opting out of a joint AI declaration organized by Macron, illustrating a keen interest to entice investments from American tech companies and foster technological integration between the two countries.