Donald Trump has seemingly rejected Sir Keir Starmer’s request before crunch talks between the 47th President and Prime Minister even begin at the White House later today.
The Prime Minister is hoping Trump leads a “US backstop” to protect Europe from Russian aggression.
Starmer will hold a summit with European leaders later this week, with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky heading to London over the weekend.
Trump dealt Starmer an immediate blow after he convened a Cabinet meeting yesterday.
Keir Starmer on a plane ahead of a visit
PA
The 47th President said: “I’m not going to make security guarantees beyond very much.”
Trump added: “We’re going to have Europe do that because… we’re talking about Europe is their next door neighbour, but we’re making sure everything goes well.”
The President’s comments come after Starmer put pressure on the White House to lead a “US backstop” against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Prime Minister said that US promises were essential to “deter Putin from coming again”.
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Donald TrumpREUTERSHe added: “Yes, I’ve got a good relationship with him.
“I’ve met him, I’ve spoken to him on the phone and this relationship between our two countries is a special relationship with a long history, forged as we fought wars together, as we traded together. I want it to go from strength to strength.”
Despite urging Europe to take on the defensive role, Trump’s allies voiced support for Starmer’s decision to hike military spending.
Trump had already urged Nato countries to increase defence spending to five per cent, with Europe and Canada’s current expenditure average sitting at just two per cent.
Keir Starmer
Getty Images
The UK came ninth on the list with 2.3 per cent, behind Poland’s 4.1 per cent allocation but ahead of Germany’s 2.1 per cent.
The White House is reportedly “very pleased” with defence commitment.
Reacting to the Prime Minister’s announcement, a US official said Trump is “very pleased with the UK’s increased defence spending”.
They added that Washington is also “pleased” with Starmer’s “discussions of committing British troops to help enforce peace” in Ukraine.