London, UK – UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, marking one of the most crucial diplomatic engagements between the two nations in recent history. Former US Secretary of State John Kerry has cautioned that Sir Keir has a “very tough hand” to play as he navigates discussions on global security, with a strong focus on the war in Ukraine.
High-Stakes Diplomatic Engagement
As Britain and Europe look to assert a greater role in their own defense, Sir Keir is expected to emphasize Labour’s commitment to increasing the UK’s defense budget from 2.3% to 2.5% of GDP. However, Kerry, who served under President Barack Obama, warned of the difficult choices Starmer faces regarding budget allocations.
“I like Keir, I think he’s a bright guy. But he’s got a very tough hand,” Kerry stated in an interview with The Telegraph. However, he expressed confidence in Starmer’s diplomatic capabilities, adding, “He knows what he’s doing.”
One of the Most Consequential UK-US Meetings
Former British Ambassador to the US Sir Peter Westmacott echoed Kerry’s sentiments, labeling the upcoming meeting as “one of the most consequential meetings of a British prime minister and president since the Second World War.”
Sir Peter, who served as the UK’s ambassador to Washington from 2012 to 2016, highlighted the implications of the war in Ukraine and broader European security. “This trip to the Oval Office is more important than usual. It’s not just about bragging rights or who gets there first. There is so much to talk about because this is a very different president, one who has broken a lot of the rules and appeared to turn against key allies,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour.
Starmer to Urge US Support for Europe’s Defense
During the meeting, Starmer is expected to reaffirm Europe’s commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities. Sir Peter advised the Prime Minister to make it clear to Trump that Europe is prepared to take more responsibility for its security while also ensuring that the US remains engaged in global stability efforts.
“This is not a man who is known to stick to his word,” Sir Peter warned, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He advised Sir Keir to caution Trump against any peace deal that could leave Ukraine vulnerable to further Russian aggression.
UK Security Minister Calls for Strengthened US-UK Relations
Security Minister Dan Jarvis expressed hope that the meeting would help forge a stronger path toward a peaceful resolution in Ukraine. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Jarvis said: “We have a special relationship with the United States. We have shared national security interests, and we want to work together to grow our economies. These discussions are crucial.”
Jarvis also emphasized the importance of putting pressure on Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine while ensuring that any negotiated settlement does not undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Starmer Aligns with US on NATO Defense Spending
In the lead-up to his meeting with Trump, Starmer has publicly supported US calls for increased NATO defense spending. Speaking at the Scottish Labour Conference in Glasgow, he stated: “This is a generational moment. We Europeans, including the United Kingdom, must do more for our defense and security. The US is right about that.”
Tensions Between Europe and the US
Starmer’s visit follows a meeting between President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, during which Trump accused Britain and France of “doing nothing” to end the war in Ukraine. Rising tensions between the US and Europe have also been exacerbated by Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to accept a peace deal and his controversial claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is acting as a dictator.
The meeting at the White House will be a critical moment for Starmer to solidify the UK’s position in transatlantic relations while ensuring that British and European interests are safeguarded in the face of shifting US foreign policy under Trump.
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