WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Keir Starmer returned to the U.K. on Friday with a sense of achievement after tackling a complex diplomatic mission in Washington. While not all objectives were fully accomplished, the visit marked a promising start.
During the trip, Starmer aimed to convince President Donald Trump to offer security assurances to Ukraine in any potential peace agreement and to avert tariffs on British goods. At the same time, he sought to build a connection with the often unpredictable U.S. president, who differs significantly from him in both temperament and political perspective.
On a personal level, Starmer enjoyed considerable success. However, the long-term impacts on U.S. support for Ukraine and British trade relations remain to be seen.
The President’s Oval Office Gesture
In the Oval Office, a relaxed President Trump warmly welcomed Starmer, describing him as “a special man” and emphasizing their strong rapport. Though Starmer had limited speaking opportunities, he avoided any uncomfortable incidents.
At a press event following their meeting, Starmer expressed gratitude to Trump for reinstating a bust of Winston Churchill in the Oval Office. Starmer noted their shared urgency for action, despite their differing political backgrounds.
British officials had meticulously prepared Starmer for this critical encounter, balancing friendliness, admiration, and openness. Starmer navigated this delicate path by focusing on positive aspects while diplomatically challenging some of Trump’s views. He praised a “moment of tremendous opportunity” crafted by Trump for peace in Ukraine, subtly overlooking concerns from Kyiv and European capitals about Trump’s intentions toward Russia.
Starmer acknowledged Trump’s role in making a “historic peace agreement” feasible but insisted it must not reward aggression, gently confronting Trump’s stance on Russia’s responsibility for the conflict.
British media hailed the visit as a diplomatic triumph. Headlines like “Charmer Starmer pulls off diplomatic win in White House” from the i newspaper and “What an unlikely bromance!” from the Daily Mail highlighted the positive reception.
Ambiguous U.S. Commitments to Ukraine
Some indications emerged that Starmer might have influenced Trump’s stance on Ukraine, as Trump spoke respectfully of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he had previously criticized.
While Trump suggested that peace could soon be achieved, there was little progress on Starmer’s request for U.S. security guarantees. The U.S. military’s involvement remains crucial for maintaining peace, supported by European nations’ military contributions.
Trump highlighted a forthcoming agreement allowing U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical minerals as a form of security guarantee and expressed faith in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s promises despite his history of unkept commitments.
Uncertainty lingers over whether the U.S. will offer more to Ukraine. Trump hinted at potential territory concessions from Russia, contrasting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s earlier remarks suggesting Ukraine might not recover all its land.
Starmer is set to update President Zelenskyy and European leaders in London about his discussions with Trump.
Pursuing Trade and Technology Partnerships
In economic conversations, Trump hinted at a possible trade deal with Britain where tariffs might be deemed unnecessary, although he made no commitments. Acknowledging Starmer’s negotiation skills, Trump humorously critiqued his toughness.
Starmer outlined a future economic partnership focusing on advanced technology, with Britain aspiring to become a leading global power in artificial intelligence, aligning more closely with the U.S. than the European Union on regulation.
Despite this, Starmer faced criticism from U.S. Vice President JD Vance regarding European regulation of online content, affecting American tech companies. Firm on Britain’s commitment to free speech, Starmer defended its regulatory history.
Starmer’s Strategic Use of Royalty
Starmer’s diplomatic strategy included an invitation from King Charles III for Trump to visit Balmoral, the royal family’s Scottish estate, marking a rare second state visit to the U.K. for a sitting president.
Trump accepted the invitation, praising the king and, humorously, Starmer’s accent, remarking that it could have won him the presidency decades ago.
