Starmer’s Crucial Meeting with Trump: Will He Sway U.S. Support for Ukraine?

London, UK – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a significant diplomatic challenge as he meets with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday. The meeting in Washington marks a critical moment in Starmer’s attempts to bolster U.S. support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia.

Since Trump’s election, Starmer has cultivated a close relationship with the U.S. leader, consistently praising him and seeking to bridge gaps in their differing worldviews. However, the stakes of this meeting are high, as Starmer aims to obtain tangible support for Ukraine, which is at a pivotal point in its struggle against Russian aggression.

“The stakes couldn’t be higher,” said Claire Ainsley, Starmer’s former executive director of policy. “The visit is a big test for the relationships between Europe and the United States, and Europe and the United Kingdom.”

The tension arises from Trump’s recent stance on Ukraine, which has left many European leaders anxious about the future of their transatlantic alliances. Trump’s positive rhetoric towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and sharp criticisms of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlight the uncertainty surrounding U.S. foreign policy. Consequently, Europe finds itself navigating a tumultuous landscape regarding its security and diplomatic ties.

Starmer’s visit follows French President Emmanuel Macron‘s unsuccessful attempts to stabilize relations between Europe and the U.S. This meeting is further complicated by Zelensky’s planned visit to Washington on Friday, where he seeks American support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity in potential peace negotiations.

Britain and France are spearheading efforts to establish a European peacekeeping force, contingent upon securing U.S. involvement. The proposed force would likely need American military backing, particularly aerial support from a nearby NATO ally such as Poland or Romania.

While Trump stated that “Europe is going to make sure nothing happens” following any peace deal, Starmer contends that European nations cannot shoulder this burden alone. He emphasized the necessity of U.S. security guarantees to prevent further Russian aggression, reiterating this message during his flight to the U.S.

Central to this diplomatic engagement is Starmer’s plea for Trump to include Zelensky in any negotiations regarding Ukraine’s future. European leaders share a deep concern over the possibility of a pro-Moscow agreement that could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.

The dynamics at play present challenges for Starmer; the meeting holds far greater importance for him than for Trump. The U.S. president has shown little interest in European affairs, having threatened tariffs on allies and reneging on longstanding commitments to European security.

In a strategic move ahead of his trip, Starmer announced a significant increase in British defense spending, aiming to elevate it to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and eventually to 3% by the decade’s mid-point. This announcement reflects the urgency of bolstering the British military as it navigates a period of substantial scrutiny and potential restructuring.

“We must change our national security posture, because a generational challenge requires a generational response,” Starmer asserted while unveiling the new defense policy. He acknowledged that recent geopolitical events have accelerated this decision.

The outcome of Starmer’s discussions with Trump will not only test their relationship but also gauge Europe’s broader approach towards U.S. diplomacy. Increasingly, there are divisions among European leaders, with some advocating for independence from U.S. influence. Germany’s likely next leader, Friedrich Merz, recently called for Europe to “achieve independence” from America.

In contrast, Starmer, along with key European leaders like Macron and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, remain hopeful that they can engage Trump and steer him towards a supportive role for Ukraine. “We’ve got a stable, center-left government, therefore we can play an integral part in these conversations, in a way that other leaders may find difficult,” Ainsley noted.