Starmer Faces Tensions with Trump Amid Diverging US and European Views on Ukraine
Keir Starmer is heading toward a significant confrontation with Donald Trump as the United States diverges from its Western allies in addressing the conflict in Ukraine. This growing rift was starkly illustrated when the US voted against a UN resolution, co-authored by Kyiv and several European partners, that condemned Russia’s aggression on the third anniversary of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In a notable absence of alignment, the US also abstained from a separate resolution that reaffirmed Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
This escalating tension at the UN General Assembly places additional pressure on Starmer, who is preparing for a critical meeting in Washington with Trump later this week—a meeting that could be pivotal for UK-US relations in the coming decades. Starmer has previously expressed his ambition to serve as a “bridge” between Europe and the US in negotiating a potential peace deal for Ukraine. However, the recent developments at the UN are poised to complicate his diplomatic efforts.
Betsa Mariana, Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister, addressed the media prior to a UN Security Council meeting, emphasizing the severe implications of the situation (Photo: Michael M Santiago/Getty). While the UK Prime Minister is unlikely to confront Trump directly regarding his stance on Russia, the contrasting positions—highlighted by the UN votes—may escalate tensions between the two leaders.
Amid this transatlantic discord, Trump stated on Monday, following discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, that he sees no issue with European troops being deployed to Ukraine as peacekeepers. This statement comes after Starmer reiterated the UK’s offer to contribute peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, should a peace agreement be established.
Foreign Secretary Lammy’s Comments on Troop Deployment
Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who will accompany Starmer on his trip to Washington, indicated to Members of Parliament that sending UK troops to Ukraine would be a “challenging decision,” yet he acknowledged that it could enhance security across Europe. He stated in the Commons, “As the Prime Minister has made clear, we understand our historical context with the Kremlin, which is why we are prepared to assist in future security guarantees for Ukraine, including potentially deploying our own troops on the ground if deemed necessary. This is not a trivial decision. Those who have borne the responsibility for the safety of British servicemen and women will understand this, yet I believe all members recognize that Ukraine’s security equates to our own security.”
The initial UN resolution, formulated by Ukraine and its European allies, condemned Russia for infringing upon Ukraine’s territorial integrity and demanded an “immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal” of Russian military forces from Ukrainian territory within internationally recognized borders. This resolution garnered 93 votes in favor, 18 against—including the US, Russia, Belarus, and North Korea—and witnessed 65 abstentions.
The second resolution, which originated from the US, called for a “swift end to the conflict” to achieve a “lasting peace” and was further amended with crucial European inputs to emphasize “the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters.” This amended resolution received 89 votes in favor, eight against, and 70 abstentions, including the US.
President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked on Monday that he desires to see peace in Ukraine “this year,” rather than waiting for a protracted resolution. Trump also mentioned plans to meet Zelensky either this week or next to discuss an agreement concerning Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, although this has yet to be confirmed by Kyiv. He further asserted that discussions with Vladimir Putin regarding the cessation of hostilities were “progressing very well.”
Downing Street refrained from commenting on whether the Prime Minister would challenge Trump on the question of Russia’s responsibility for the Ukraine war. Starmer’s spokesperson earlier indicated that the UK is “collaborating with European partners to propose amendments to the US resolution,” asserting, “We believe any resolution must unequivocally state that Russia is culpable for the war in Ukraine. To achieve lasting peace, we need a just resolution that respects the UN Charter and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity; a peace that rewards aggression cannot be deemed a true peace.”
G7 Leaders’ Call and Future Cooperation
Meanwhile, any formal statement following a call among G7 leaders on Monday is not anticipated until Tuesday, if at all, due to reported disagreements about referencing Russian “aggression.” During this call, Starmer urged partners to “increase economic pressure” on Russia. The Prime Minister praised Ukraine’s “resilience, courage, and leadership” throughout the three years since the invasion.
He expressed appreciation for the leadership Trump is demonstrating in pursuing peace and pledged to collaborate with him and other G7 leaders to establish a just and lasting peace. He affirmed that the UK would play a significant role in this endeavor, emphasizing the necessity of amplifying military support for Ukraine, with the UK and Europe taking on a greater share of the responsibilities. He asserted the importance of ramping up economic sanctions and leveraging collective strength to foster peace and secure robust guarantees.
Downing Street also chose not to distance the UK from remarks made by Friedrich Merz, the winner of the German elections, who suggested that European NATO allies should aim for “independence from the USA.” Starmer’s spokesperson responded, “Germany remains a close and essential European partner. Our focus will be on continuing to collaborate with our German allies across an array of issues, particularly in enhancing support for Ukraine and improving security cooperation throughout Europe.”
