Keir Starmer has reiterated his call for a US security guarantee in Ukraine to deter Vladimir Putin from invading again, as he gears up to meet with Donald Trump. Speaking while en route to Washington DC, Sir Keir expressed his hopes for the UK-US relationship to strengthen even further. However, the two leaders seem to disagree on the significance of US security guarantees for Ukraine as part of any peace agreement.
Sir Keir mentioned that talks about potentially deploying British troops to Ukraine were ongoing, but he emphasized the importance of a US “backstop.” Trump, on the other hand, stated that he is reluctant to make security guarantees beyond a certain extent and prefers to have Europe handle such matters as they are geographically closer to Ukraine.
The president did acknowledge the expected deal between the US and Ukraine concerning access to minerals as favorable for Ukraine. However, the specifics of how much security support European leaders are seeking from America and the extent of any American presence on Ukrainian soil related to a minerals deal remain undisclosed. Sir Keir emphasized the need for lasting peace in Europe and Ukraine, stressing the necessity of security guarantees to avoid a mere ceasefire that could enable Putin to strike again.
During a reception at the UK Ambassador’s Residence in Washington, Sir Keir emphasized the importance of forging a new partnership with the United States, looking towards a promising future ahead. After Sir Keir’s visit, Trump is set to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky has expressed that without security assurances from the US, achieving a ceasefire and making progress would be challenging. Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed optimism regarding America’s proposed deal, highlighting the importance of having US interests on the ground in Ukraine for security
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