A High-Stakes Summit on Ukraine, Trade, and Defense

A Rewritten Text

Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, embarked on a crucial journey to Washington DC, where he met with US President Donald Trump. This meeting held immense significance, marking one of the most consequential encounters between a US president and a British prime minister.

During the flight, Sir Keir emphasized the importance of recognizing Russia's Vladimir Putin as the aggressor in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He asserted that negotiations regarding Ukraine must involve Ukraine itself and advocated for Europe's increased participation in global defense efforts.

Despite the challenging nature of the meeting, which also included discussions on the Chagos Islands, trade deals, and a potential visit by President Trump, Sir Keir remained committed to fostering a strong relationship between the two nations. He dismissed any notion of disagreement between the two countries on the Ukraine issue, stating, "There is no issue between us on this."

In addition to his meeting with President Trump, Sir Keir also planned to host a defense summit over the weekend, inviting Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders. He aimed to remind President Trump of the substantial trade relationship between the US and the UK, worth $400 billion and supporting over 2.5 million jobs across both countries.

Sir Keir faced criticism for his decision to reduce foreign aid in order to increase defense spending, a move influenced by President Trump and causing concern within the Labour Party. However, he remained firm in his stance, emphasizing Russia's responsibility for the war in Ukraine. He stated, "There's one aggressor here and that's Russia."

Sir Keir expressed his confidence in the UK's ability to provide peacekeeping troops if necessary, stating, "We will play our part and I've been clear that we will need a US backstop of some sort." He also affirmed his positive relationship with President Trump, despite initial challenges.

The trip coincided with a YouGov poll highlighting Sir Keir's domestic political struggles. The poll revealed that only 23% of respondents believed he would be effective in negotiating with President Trump, while 57% held the opposite view.