Forget about Dogecoin; the only currency being traded by former US President Donald Trump and his close ally JD Vance is humiliation. Each new day brings another unsettling wake-up call, as Washington halts the delivery of crucial ammunition and military equipment to Kyiv. Meanwhile, Vice President Vance made headlines with his dismissal of the UK, referring to it as “some random country” that “hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years,” conveniently overlooking their joint military efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. Later, Vance attempted to retract his disparaging comments about the British, claiming, “I don’t even mention the UK or France in the clip.”
Not content with the premeditated ambush of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his recent Oval Office visit, Trump and Vance appear hell-bent on intimidating anyone who suggests alternative paths to peace that do not involve securing American interests in Ukrainian mineral resources. Trump is leveraging vital US weapon systems—including Howitzer cannons, tanks, and rocket launchers—as bargaining chips to manipulate negotiations regarding the stalled minerals deal.
Vance has eagerly stepped into the role of Trump’s enforcer. During their meeting in the Oval Office, it was Vance who launched an attack on Europe’s track record concerning free speech, prompting UK leader Keir Starmer to assert his pride in the UK’s commitment to this fundamental right. In an aggressive follow-up, Vance accused Zelensky of “needling” Trump and exhibiting a “certain sense of entitlement,” while also making it abundantly clear that there would be no “backstop” or US security guarantee for European troops stationed in Ukraine.
Starmer’s Challenge: Navigating Diplomatic Waters
In a challenging twist, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner found herself on the morning broadcast circuit, ostensibly to discuss her new bill on workers’ rights. Instead, she had to address the latest verbal onslaught from across the Atlantic. What could she possibly say when the UK’s strategy is to maintain a cordial relationship and avoid ruffling feathers in the White House?
Starmer maintains that he is “laser-focused” on Ukraine and will not be “derailed” by announcements from the White House, which was her best defense, denying any notion that the Government is acting as if it were “business as usual.” In a BBC interview, she emphasized the “constructive” outcomes of last week’s meeting between Starmer and Trump, highlighting potential trade benefits and apparent approval for the Chagos deal.
Later, in a direct response to Vance’s remarks, Starmer’s official spokesman stated: “The Prime Minister is full of admiration for British troops.” This diplomatic phrasing serves as a thinly veiled rebuke, signaling “get back in your box.”
The stakes, however, couldn’t be higher. Starmer told Parliament on Monday that sending British troops to Ukraine without US security guarantees would be “utter folly.” Vance has categorically ruled this out.
Meanwhile, France is blocking a UK proposal to seize Russian assets, with advocates arguing that such funds could be utilized to help Ukraine purchase weapons from the US and the European Union. Critics warn, however, that this could deter future Middle Eastern investments in Europe, complicating the geopolitical landscape even further.
Starmer’s envisioned “coalition of the willing” is beginning to fracture. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a significant ally of Trump, has expressed concerns regarding plans for a European peacekeeping force, despite Starmer’s earlier assertions that they were aligned on this issue. “There may be doubts about some proposals,” she remarked.
Starmer’s strategy has been to remain level-headed and avoid reacting to every provocative social media post or aggressive outburst from Trump and Vance. However, with recent developments, the level of humiliation now being heaped upon Europe has reached an unprecedented scale. With Trump withdrawing military aid, Starmer’s aspirations for a favorable peace deal are in serious jeopardy, and his reputation as a reliable mediator between the US and Europe hangs in the balance.
