Prime minister heads to Washington to meet with US president as European capitals fret over Ukraine’s future.
LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to Washington, D.C. next week for his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump since the U.S. president took back the White House in November.
The prime minister’s visit — confirmed Monday by No.10 Downing Street — comes as the U.S. starts negotiations with Russia about ending the war in Ukraine and as the U.S. urges European nations to spend more domestically on defense.
Addressing journalists, Starmer’s spokesperson said Monday: “There’s going to be a wide range of issues that we’ll be working with the new U.S. administration on.
“The prime minister looks forward to meeting President [Donald] Trump shortly to discuss how we can deepen the special relationship across trade, investment and security.”
Starmer confirmed Sunday evening that the U.K. is « ready and willing » to put British peace-keeping troops on the ground in Ukraine as part of a post-war force.
He is attending an emergency summit in Paris Monday about Europe’s response to the war as Trump presses ahead with Russian peace talks — in a move that blindsided European capitals.
The PM’s spokesperson told reporters Starmer will urge European nations to play a greater role in the NATO military alliance — but said he would also stress that America’s role in European security remains critical.
« The U.S. security guarantee will be essential for lasting peace, because only the United States can deter [Vladimir] Putin from attacking again, » they said.