Keir Starmer tees up ‘forthcoming’ go to to the US in impromptu cellphone name with Donald Trump at dinner… however date STILL hasn’t been finalised
Keir Starmer teed up his ‘forthcoming’ visit to the US during an impromptu call with Donald Trump last night.
The PM was having dinner with Mark Burnett in Downing Street when the special envoy to the UK was called by the president.
Sir Keir was passed the phone and chatted to Mr Trump for a few minutes – although they do not appear to have touched on points of tension such as Ukraine or trade tariffs.
A No10 spokeswoman said: ‘The Prime Minister was pleased to host President Trump’s special envoy to the United Kingdom, Mark Burnett, at Downing Street last night, during which he took a call from President Trump and discussed his forthcoming visit to the US.’
She added: ‘Mr Burnett and the Prime Minister agreed on the unique and special nature of the UK-US relationship, the strength of our alliance and the warmth of the connection between the two countries.’
Despite the discussion, it is understood a date has yet to be finalised for Sir Keir’s trip to the White House – but it is expected to happen soon.
Keir Starmer was having dinner with Mark Burnett (left) in Downing Street when the special envoy to the UK was called by the president
Sir Keir was passed the phone and chatted to Mr Trump for a few minutes – although they do not appear to have touched on points of tension such as Ukraine or trade tariffs
Despite the discussion, it is understood a date has yet to be finalised for Sir Keir’s trip to the White House – although it is expected to happen soon
Sir Keir aligned himself with European allies this morning after Mr Trump’s bombshell conversation with Vladimir Putin.
In a phone call with Volodymyr Zelensky, the PM spelled out his view that there can be ‘no talks about Ukraine without Ukraine’ and the process of Kyiv joining Nato is ‘irreversible’.
Mr Trump and the Russian dictator had ‘a lengthy and highly productive’ phone conversation earlier this week, during which they agreed that talks to end the conflict should start ‘immediately’.
But any peace deal is expected to see Russia keep territory it has annexed since 2014, including the Crimean peninsula – a huge blow to Kyiv after three years of fighting for freedom.
There was also deep disquiet that Ukraine joining Nato – an official policy of the alliance – had been effectively ruled out.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump is demanding that European Nato powers commit to spending 5 per cent of GDP on defence – a level the US itself does not reach. The UK is one of the biggest spenders but has yet to set out a timetable to hit 2.5 per cent.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said Sir Keir and Mr Zelensky spoke this morning, ahead of an anticipated meeting between the Ukraine leader and US Vice President JD Vance in Munich later.
‘The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s concrete support for Ukraine, for as long as it’s needed.
‘He was unequivocal that there could be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine.
‘Ukraine needed strong security guarantees, further lethal aid and a sovereign future, and it could count on the UK to step up, he added.
‘The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to Ukraine being on an irreversible path to NATO, as agreed by Allies at the Washington Summit last year.
Mr Zelensky has been warning that the US does not appear to have a plan for a peace deal
Foreign Secretary David Lammy met US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference this morning
‘Discussing the upcoming third anniversary of Ukraine’s courageous defence of its sovereignty in the face of Russia’s barbaric full-scale invasion, the leaders agreed that it would be an important moment to demonstrate international unity and support for Ukraine.
‘The leaders also reflected on the Prime Minister’s visit to Kyiv last month, and the President updated on his plans at Munich Security Conference.
‘They agreed to stay in close contact.’
Meeting Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference this morning, Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the US-UK relationship as ‘more than just an alliance, it’s a covenant between two partners’.
He added: ‘We are committed to increasing defence and encourage our friends across Europe to do the same, and of course we have got important issues to discuss on Ukraine and how we support Ukraine at this difficult moment, and also broader issues of UK-US security.’
Mr Vance said: ‘Honestly, we have a lot in common, and the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States will remain very strong.
‘We are going to talk about something that he and I spoke about a couple of years ago, which is our shared belief that Europe really should take a big role in its own security, and I’m glad the Foreign Secretary agrees with me on that.
‘I think there are other issues of common agreement, I’m sure we will talk about Russia-Ukraine.’
Politicians from across parties voiced alarm in the Commons yesterday after the US president’s call with Putin.
