Keir Starmer and Donald Trump vow to strengthen ‘particular relationship’ amid Elon Musk fears
Keir Starmer and Donald Trump agreed that Ukraine needs to be “in the strongest possible position” during a phone call.
The PM and US President-elect agreed to meet “at the earliest opportunity”. It comes amid fears Trump ally Elon Musk – who is set for a key role in the new administration – could bankroll Nigel Farage’s Reform UK to the tune of millions.
It has not been confirmed when they will meet face-to-face, but there is speculation that Mr Starmer could travel to the White House in February. A No10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to President-elect Donald Trump this afternoon from Downing Street.
“The Prime Minister began by congratulating President-elect Trump on his recent team appointments and President-elect Trump warmly recounted his meeting with His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in Paris earlier this month.
“Both agreed on their joint ambition to strengthen the close and historic relationship between the UK and the US.”
There have been fears that the US could turn its back on Ukraine when Trump takes office. During the election campaign he claimed he could bring the war with Russia to an end within a day.
This has sparked fears that Putin could benefit from a favourable US-backed peace agreement. The No10 spokesman said: “Turning to global conflicts, the Prime Minister reiterated the need for allies to stand together with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and to ensure Ukraine is in the strongest possible position.
“On the Middle East, the Prime Minister underscored the need to work together to ensure peace and security in the region. They agreed to keep in touch and looked forward to seeing one another at the earliest opportunity.”
The PM and the President-elect met in Trump Tower in September, where they were joined for dinner by Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The Government said they had “discussed the longstanding friendship between the UK and the US and the importance of continuing to develop the strong and enduring partnership between our two countries”.
At a Foreign Office bash at Lancaster House on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary David Lammy told diplomats that the special relationship was strong – and joked that he’d been offered a second portion of roast chicken by Mr Trump at a dinner in September in Trump Tower.
