UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has emphasized that any negotiations to end the war in Ukraine must include Kyiv, following reports that the US and Russia have begun discussions without
inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Speaking ahead of his visit to Washington next week, where he will meet US President Donald Trump, Starmer reinforced his commitment to Ukraine, citing his firsthand experience of the devastation caused by the war. "What I have seen only strengthens my resolve to stand up for Ukraine," he said at the Scottish Labour conference in Glasgow on Sunday.
He stressed that while no one wants the conflict to continue, the Ukrainian people must be central to any discussions about their country's future. "After all they have endured and fought for, there can be no discussion about Ukraine without Ukraine. Their future must be secure and long-term," he added.
Key meeting in Washington
During his US visit, Starmer will focus on reinforcing the "special relationship" between the UK and the US, with Ukraine set to be a key topic. Over the weekend, he and his Cabinet reaffirmed their support for Kyiv, warning that a weak peace deal could have consequences far beyond Ukraine. They also emphasized the need for a strong US security guarantee to deter future Russian aggression.
Starmer has been in close contact with President Zelensky, speaking with him twice in three days, and has pledged to advocate for Ukraine’s sovereignty during his talks in Washington. His trip also comes amid US pressure on Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security. The UK leader is expected to use the visit to outline a timeline for increasing UK defense spending to 2.5% of national income, up from the current 2.3% of GDP.
Calls for greater European involvement
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson reiterated the UK's commitment to raising defense spending and urged other allies to "step up" alongside Britain. She acknowledged the financial challenges involved but criticized the previous Conservative government for leaving a "£22 billion black hole" in public finances.
Opposition parties and European leaders have raised concerns about being excluded from the US-Russia talks, with fears that Europe is being sidelined. Phillipson suggested that Starmer would address the exclusion of European voices during his discussions in Washington.
Trump’s comments on Ukraine
Starmer’s visit comes amid tensions following controversial remarks by President Trump, who recently called Zelensky a "dictator" and accused European leaders, including Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, of failing to take action to end the war. Some European leaders have condemned Trump's statements, and Starmer is under pressure to challenge the US president on his stance.
Despite this, UK ministers have largely refrained from directly criticizing Trump. When asked why the UK government wasn’t responding more forcefully, Phillipson stated: "The facts speak for themselves. President Zelensky was elected by the Ukrainian people, and we respect that." Shadow Defense Secretary James Cartlidge, however, pushed back against Trump’s claims, saying he was "wrong" to call Zelensky a dictator.
Potential state visit invitation
There is speculation that Starmer may extend an invitation for a state visit to Trump during his US trip, though he noted that such decisions are ultimately made by King Charles. "I can guarantee that when I’m over there, President Trump will be talking about Scotland—as he always does," Starmer said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary David Lammy is set to announce new sanctions against Russia on Monday to mark the anniversary of the war.
Ukraine rejects exclusion from talks
As Trump suggested that a peace deal might be "close," Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine will not accept any outcome from discussions in which Kyiv was not involved. "A lasting settlement must include a Ukrainian voice—without that, it won’t endure," Phillipson said, reinforcing the UK’s stance on ensuring Ukraine's participation in future negotiations. Photo by Wadco2, Wikimedia commons.