Trump’s criticism of European leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, took center stage on Monday as he dismissed their recent discussions on Ukraine. He also directed fresh attacks at Volodymyr Zelensky, condemning the Ukrainian president’s remarks that a peace deal remains “very, very far away.”
A potential obstacle to resolving Russia’s invasion of Ukraine emerged when the former U.S. president unleashed his frustration. His outburst coincided with the British prime minister addressing Parliament, where he emphasized America’s crucial role in achieving peace.
Despite calls from lawmakers urging Britain to distance itself from Trump and the U.S. following last week’s contentious Oval Office exchange with Zelensky, Sir Keir refused to entertain the idea.
Trump Signals a Switch in U.S. Policy
Trump’s social media statement suggested that the U.S. might reconsider its military support for Ukraine. He described Zelensky’s comments as the worst possible statement and hinted that America’s patience was thin. Trump suggested that the Ukrainian president had no real interest in ending the conflict as long as he continued receiving U.S. assistance.
Aiming at European leaders, including Sir Keir, Trump criticized them for expressing their reliance on the U.S. in their meeting with Zelensky. He argued that such a stance did little to project strength against Russia, questioning their strategic thinking.
During a late-night address, Trump warned Zelensky that his position could become precarious if he did not end the war soon.
At a White House press conference, he told reporters that negotiations should not be complicated and that an agreement could be reached swiftly. Trump implied that certain individuals might be obstructing a deal and cautioned that anyone resisting peace might not remain in power for long.
Tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine escalated further following an incident on Friday in which Zelensky was reportedly asked to leave the White House. The meeting had turned tense when Trump, joined by Vice President JD Vance, openly berated the Ukrainian leader in front of the press.
Attempting to strengthen ties between America and Europe, Sir Keir organized a gathering of 19 leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. However, differences between him and French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the “coalition of the willing” led by Britain and France became apparent.
Addressing Parliament, Sir Keir received commendation for his diplomatic efforts but also faced tough inquiries regarding his stance on Trump.
Both the Scottish National Party and Tory shadow minister Alicia Kearns pushed for King Charles to rescind Trump’s invitation for a second state visit, referencing the prime minister’s presentation of the invitation at the White House last week.
Rejecting these calls, Sir Keir urged lawmakers to recognize that resolving the Ukraine crisis and strengthening European security required deeper cooperation with the U.S. administration.
Concerns Over Britain’s Dependence on the U.S.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey cautioned against over-reliance on America, expressing concerns about Trump’s stance on Russia. He argued that the U.S. had begun prioritizing alliances with authoritarian figures like Putin over its traditional democratic partners.
Speaking in Parliament, he stressed the need for Britain to lessen its dependency on the U.S., stating that Trump could not be counted on as a steadfast ally in matters concerning Russia.
Sir Keir affirmed that discussions between the U.K. and the U.S. had established a commitment to work together on security measures to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine. He assured Parliament that the U.S. president remained committed to achieving peace and that his dedication should not be doubted.
He highlighted the deep ties between the two nations in defense, intelligence, and security, arguing that weakening this connection would be a misstep, particularly during such turbulent times in Europe.
When pressed about Britain’s ambassador to the U.S., Lord Mandelson, publicly supporting Trump’s mineral deal proposal to end the war—an approach defense minister Luke Pollard dismissed as inconsistent with government policy—Sir Keir avoided providing a direct response.
He instead reaffirmed that collaboration, especially with France, remained a priority. He described ongoing discussions with President Macron and Ukrainian officials as essential to shaping a way forward.
A heated exchange followed when Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, asked about Britain’s military commitment to Ukraine. Sir Keir accused Farage of showing undue admiration for Putin in response.
Concerns also surfaced among senior Labour members over the prime minister’s decision to reduce the overseas aid budget in favor of increasing defense expenditures.
Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs committee, raised doubts about whether enough funds would be available to support nations such as Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza.
Defending the decision, Sir Keir reassured lawmakers of his commitment to international aid. He explained that a detailed review of funding priorities would be undertaken to ensure resources were allocated appropriately.
