Starmer Secures Diplomatic Gains in Washington
WASHINGTON – In a significant diplomatic achievement, Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, concluded a high-stakes meeting with President Donald Trump last night. The discussions marked a pivotal moment as Trump expressed support for Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim territory from Russian control. Moreover, he seemed amenable to initiating the process of transferring the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius and hinted at the potential for a transatlantic trade agreement.
Although Starmer was unable to persuade Trump to endorse his proposal for a U.S. “backstop” that would support a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine, the President indicated a growing empathy toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump also reaffirmed his commitment to NATO’s mutual defense clause, signaling a collaborative approach to European security.
During the White House meeting, Starmer faced a direct challenge from Vice President JD Vance, who accused the British government of stifling free speech through its regulations on major tech companies. Nonetheless, aides to Starmer privately celebrated the trip as a resounding success, noting that he avoided any public confrontations with the President.
In a gesture of goodwill, the Prime Minister began his meeting with Trump by delivering a letter from King Charles III, formally inviting the President for a second state visit to the UK. In response, Trump indicated he was inclined to support a deal regarding the Chagos Islands, where the U.S. maintains a naval base and possesses a significant say in matters concerning its governance.
Following their meeting, both leaders addressed the press, revealing they shared common ground on Trump’s controversial efforts to bring an end to the Ukraine conflict. These efforts have faced backlash in Europe due to his previous remarks criticizing Zelensky and his alignment with Russia during a crucial United Nations vote.
Starmer articulated, “We agree that history must favor the peacemaker over the invader. The stakes have never been higher. We are determined to collaborate on a robust and fair deal, one that Ukraine will help shape, backed by the strength necessary to deter Putin from further aggression. I am committed to working closely with other European leaders on this initiative, and I am clear that the UK stands ready to deploy troops and aircraft if needed to support a favorable resolution.”
President Trump emphasized the urgency of reaching a peace agreement, stating, “If you desire peace, you must engage with both parties, as I discussed with Prime Minister Starmer. The next step we are taking is toward a genuinely achievable ceasefire. We hope to see this happen swiftly, for thousands of young lives—Ukrainians and Russians alike—are lost each week on this harsh battlefield.”
While endorsing NATO’s Article 5, which stipulates that an attack on one member is an attack on all, Trump asserted that activating this clause would not be necessary to safeguard a peacekeeping force in Ukraine. He remarked, “I support it, but I don’t foresee any reason for its activation. I believe we are on the path to a very successful peace.”
Starmer has been advocating for the U.S. to provide a backstop, likely involving air support located in central or eastern Europe, to deter Russia from future incursions into Ukraine. While Trump refrained from fully endorsing this idea, he suggested that a proposed economic agreement for the U.S. to exploit Ukraine’s rare earth minerals might render such a backstop unnecessary. In response, Starmer noted, “I found our discussion to be highly productive. As the President mentioned, the deal must come first, but our teams will collaborate to ensure that any agreements are lasting and effectively enforced.”
Today, President Trump will host President Zelensky at the White House, while Starmer is scheduled to convene a meeting with 18 national leaders in London on Sunday to discuss the next steps regarding Ukraine.
On the topic of trade, Starmer stressed that the United States should refrain from imposing tariffs on the UK, emphasizing the fairness and balance of the economic relationship between both nations. When questioned if Starmer had persuaded him against levying tariffs on the UK, Trump humorously replied, “He tried. He worked hard at it, I’ll tell you that. He deserves whatever compensation he receives over there, but he put in the effort.”
Trump added, “There is a very real possibility that, between these two great and friendly countries, we might ultimately strike a significant trade agreement that eliminates the need for tariffs. We will see how this unfolds.”
Additionally, Trump indicated that the U.S. and UK would commence efforts on a new economic agreement “centered around advanced technology,” with both nations expressing optimism about artificial intelligence and the imperative of avoiding excessive regulation.
