UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is urging US President Donald Trump to provide a security “backstop” to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from launching another invasion of Ukraine after any future peace deal.
Starmer is willing to commit British troops to a peacekeeping mission but believes US involvement is crucial to ensuring long-term stability.
However, Trump has signaled reluctance to offer strong security guarantees to Ukraine, stating that Europe should take the lead in protecting the country. “I’m not going to make security guarantees beyond very much,” he told reporters, adding that the US would gain financially from an economic deal with Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit Washington on Friday to sign an agreement on rare earth minerals, a deal Trump claims will bring significant financial returns for the US. However, Kyiv considers security assurances from the US just as crucial, and these remain unresolved.
Russia has rejected the idea of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claiming such proposals are deceptive and intended to prolong the conflict.
Ahead of his meeting with Trump, Starmer announced that the UK will increase its defense spending from 2.3% to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, signaling Britain’s commitment to European security.
Meanwhile, former UK Prime Minister Theresa May has urged Starmer to emphasize to Trump that defending Ukraine strengthens the security of both Europe and the US. Trump has drawn criticism for his stance on Ukraine, including calling Zelensky a “dictator” and suggesting that Kyiv initiated the conflict.
Tensions between the US and European allies were further strained when the US voted alongside Russia, North Korea, and Iran at the United Nations against a European-backed resolution condemning Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Conservative peer Lord Howard of Lympne described the vote as a stark reminder of shifting geopolitical reality.
With Trump unwilling to commit to substantial security guarantees, Starmer faces an uphill battle in persuading the US to play a larger role in deterring further Russian aggression. His visit to Washington comes at a critical moment for transatlantic relations, as European leaders seek clarity on America’s role in global security under Trump’s leadership.