British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will fly to Washington on Wednesday for his first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The prime minister is the second of three international leaders meeting Trump this week, following French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit on Tuesday and before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s expected trip on Friday.
Ahead of the trip, Starmer defended his decision to up UK defense spending, saying it was “necessary for the protection of our country”.
“Russia, North Korea, Iran—we now face enemies who would happily extinguish the light of democracy given the chance,” he wrote.
“And they are increasingly prepared to work together to threaten our interests.
“We cannot hide from this threat. I know that working people have already felt the impact of Russian brutality through rising bills and prices.
“But unless Ukraine is properly protected from Putin, then Europe will only become more unstable. That will hurt us even more.”
He has also insisted that the increase in defense spending was “very much” his decision when questioned whether the United States was now dictating UK policy.
London will devote 13.4 billion pounds (US$17 billion) more to defense every year from 2027, according to new government plans, something Stamer said will mean that “extremely difficult and painful choices” must be made.
Tuesday saw the UK government announce that international development assistance aid will be slashed from its current level of 0.5 percent of gross national income to 0.3 percent in 2027.
“Our focus is on achieving a cease-fire as soon as possible, and ultimately a permanent peace,” Trump said during a joint news conference after the meeting.
“I believe that Emmanuel agrees with me on many of the most important issues, chief among them is, this is the right time. It may be the only time,” Trump said, referring to the peace deal.
He also praised Macron for agreeing that Europe, not just the United States, should bear the cost of securing peace and ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security and said that his administration is taking a “decisive break” from the foreign policy approach of the Biden administration.
Macron agreed with Trump’s desire to end the war but reiterated that Ukraine’s and Europe’s interests should be taken into consideration.
“We want peace swiftly, but we don’t want an agreement that is weak,” Macron said.
The French president noted that the security guarantees would be negotiated as part of a comprehensive peace and security package in due time, saying that Trump has endorsed that approach.
Ahead of Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington on Friday, Trump has said that the Ukrainian leader wants to sign a “very big deal.”
That was after the two leaders exchanged hostile words last week.
After the trips across the Atlantic, European leaders are set to meet in the UK over the weekend to discuss future defense, Starmer has said.
