Starmer in D.C.: Strong Ties, Uncertain Ukraine Signals

WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Keir Starmer returned to the UK with a content smile after a significant trip to Washington. During his journey, Starmer aimed to encourage President Donald Trump to offer Ukraine security guarantees in a peace agreement, while also seeking to avert tariffs on British goods. This task required navigating a relationship with Trump, who differs greatly in political perspective and demeanor.

Personally, Starmer seemed to achieve success, but whether this will translate into increased U.S. support for Ukraine or tariff relief remains to be seen.

An amiable atmosphere greeted Starmer at the White House. President Trump, appearing relaxed, expressed generosity and admiration toward his British counterpart, calling him “a special man” with whom he gets along “famously.” In response, Starmer skillfully used the opportunity to charm, acknowledging Trump’s decision to restore Winston Churchill’s bust to the Oval Office, and noted their mutual urgency to accomplish goals, despite differing political backgrounds.

Months of preparation by British officials preceded this vital meeting. They crafted a strategy that balanced friendship with honesty. Starmer artfully managed this by focusing on positive aspects while gently challenging when necessary. Thanking Trump for a “moment of tremendous opportunity” to end the Ukrainian conflict, he avoided directly addressing concerns of Trump’s potential favoritism toward Russia over traditional allies. Starmer commented that Trump had enabled a “historic peace agreement” but emphasized it should not reward aggression, subtly pushing back on Trump’s stance concerning Russia’s culpability.

British media, typically diverse in viewpoint, united in deeming the trip a diplomatic triumph. Headlines such as “Charmer Starmer pulls off diplomatic win in White House” and “What an unlikely bromance!” accompanied images of the leaders sharing laughter.

There are indications Starmer influenced Trump’s stance on Ukraine, as Trump expressed respect for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, previously labeled dictatorially. While Trump anticipated an imminent peace agreement, Starmer’s desire for U.S. security guarantees remained unfulfilled, with Trump suggesting economic partnerships signaled security. Yet, Trump showed some willingness to negotiate returning territory to Kyiv, diverging from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s suggestion that Ukraine abandon certain territorial aspirations.

Starmer plans to brief Zelenskyy and European allies in London about his Washington visit.

Economically, there was optimism surrounding potential U.S.-UK trade deals that could alleviate tariffs, though Trump refrained from making any specific commitments. He recognized Starmer’s skills as a negotiator, albeit humorously indicating mixed feelings about them.

The envisioned trade agreement will reportedly focus on advanced technologies, aiming to position Britain as a global leader in AI and tech, a move aligning more with the U.S. than the European Union. Some tension exists around this, as U.S. Vice President JD Vance voiced concern over European content regulation affecting American tech firms. Starmer confidently defended the UK’s record of free speech.

Starmer’s diplomatic efforts were bolstered by royal involvement. During the Oval Office meeting, he delivered an invitation from King Charles III for a presidential state visit to Balmoral, the royal Scottish estate. Trump graciously accepted, expressing affection for the monarch and commending Starmer’s accent — light-heartedly suggesting it could have helped him politically if he had it.