Keir Starmer meets Trump to discuss Ukraine crisis, trade tariffs

As Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares for a critical meeting with Donald Trump in Washington, the stakes for UK-US relations and European security are exceptionally high. Starmer aims to recalibrate Trump's approach to the Ukraine conflict, advocating for U.S. security guarantees that would support peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine and counter Russian aggression. In conjunction with diplomatic efforts, Starmer has announced a significant increase in the UK's defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, a move reflecting growing concerns over security amidst fears of potential U.S. betrayal. This meeting is further complicated by Trump's recent criticisms of Ukrainian President Zelensky and his push for peace talks with Russia, raising alarms about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine. Observers view this as one of the most consequential meetings between a UK prime minister and U.S. president in decades, with implications for the long-standing Special Relationship. Starmer's success could determine not only the trajectory of UK-US ties but also the broader stability of Europe in the face of Russian threats.