Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has reaffirmed Britain’s “unwavering” support for Ukraine amid concerns that Donald Trump may negotiate a secret deal with Vladimir Putin that compromises Kyiv’s interests. This assurance comes after a phone call between Trump and Putin, which has sparked fears about the potential consequences for Ukraine.
Starmer’s commitment to supporting Ukraine is not new; Britain has been a vocal advocate for Ukraine since the eve of Russia’s full-scale invasion in January 2022. In fact, Britain was among the first countries to provide Ukraine with anti-tank weapons.
The Prime Minister’s conversation with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday night aimed to discuss progress toward a ceasefire, as well as reaffirm Britain’s support for Ukraine. Starmer told the Commons, “Last night, I spoke to President Zelensky to discuss progress that (US) President (Donald) Trump had made with Russia towards a ceasefire. And I took the opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering support to the people of Ukraine.”
Former UK Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace expressed concerns that Trump may be outmaneuvered by Putin, citing the example of Trump’s “Deal of the Century” with the Taliban in February 2020. Wallace warned that a similar scenario could unfold in Ukraine, with Trump potentially making concessions to Putin behind closed doors.
The Kremlin has announced that Putin and Trump understand and trust each other, and are committed to restoring US-Russia ties step-by-step. However, this development has only fueled concerns that Trump may prioritize his relationship with Putin over Ukraine’s interests.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has emphasized that Moscow cannot be trusted, pointing out that Russia’s actions do not align with its stated commitments. Putin’s refusal to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire has only added to the uncertainty surrounding the conflict.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Britain’s commitment to supporting Ukraine remains unwavering. Starmer’s reassurance to Zelensky serves as a testament to this commitment, and Britain’s determination to stand by Ukraine in the face of ongoing challenges.
