UK’s Starmer set for Trump meeting amid Europe-Ukraine concerns

In an effort to ensure that the voices of Kyiv and European leaders are included in ongoing discussions with Moscow about lasting peace in Ukraine, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is slated to visit the White House on Thursday to meet with President Donald Trump. This diplomatic engagement follows closely on the heels of French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the U.S., underscoring the growing apprehension within Europe over Trump’s approach to resolving the Ukraine conflict. Many European leaders fear that Trump’s determination to conclude the war may result in excessive concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, President Trump expressed his intent to broker a beneficial deal for both Ukraine and Russia. “We’re going to try very hard to make a good deal so that they [Ukraine] can get as much land back as possible,” Trump stated. However, Trump’s endeavor to reset relations with Russia has unsettled traditional allies in Europe. His return to the White House marks a shift towards realigning U.S. foreign policy with his “America First” philosophy.

Recent developments reveal that the Trump administration engaged in discussions with Russia without input from Ukrainian or other European allies. Adding to the tension, this week, the U.S. refused to endorse U.N. resolutions holding Russia accountable for the conflict. This evolving perspective on Ukraine under Trump’s administration is significantly impacting transatlantic relations.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance rejected notions that President Trump is disregarding European nations or is overly eager to negotiate with Putin, asserting, “He hasn’t conceded anything to anyone. He’s doing the job of a diplomat.” Starmer’s meeting with Trump is scheduled to precede a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The discussions on Friday are expected to culminate in a controversial agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s crucial minerals, essential for aerospace, defense, and nuclear sectors.

Though Zelenskyy previously hesitated to finalize this agreement without firm U.S. security assurances, Trump has remained ambivalent about providing such guarantees. “I’m not going to make security guarantees … very much,” Trump remarked, emphasizing that Europe should assume this role. In anticipation of a potential truce, Starmer and Macron have committed to deploying troops for a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine to prevent renewed hostilities.

Plans for an upcoming meeting with international leaders will be hosted by the British prime minister in the U.K. on Sunday, focusing on the Ukrainian crisis, with Zelenskyy anticipated to attend. Additionally, Starmer has pledged to increase the U.K.’s defense expenditure to pacify concerns over defense contributions. The goal is to boost military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and aim for 3% by 2035.

The discussions are expected to encompass broader topics beyond Ukraine, including economic stability, secure borders, and national security, alongside advancements in AI and technology. Starmer will underscore Europe’s role in global defense and the importance of unity in facing global challenges. Emphasizing the potential to deepen U.S.-U.K. relations, Starmer remarked on the prospects for growth and collective security on both sides of the Atlantic.

Regarding advancements in technology and AI, Starmer is keen to explore further collaboration opportunities. Britain’s ambition to diverge from the EU’s regulatory approach to AI aims to establish the U.K. as a leader in this domain. Notably, the U.K. refrained from signing a joint declaration on AI at a summit in Paris, signaling efforts to attract investment from American tech companies. Starmer’s office conveyed the prime minister’s vision for deepening bilateral technological cooperation between the U.S. and the U.K. to foster highly efficient and ambitious tech sectors globally.