Starmer insists on security guarantee for Ukraine as he arrives in Washington for talks with Trump
Baku, February 27, AZERTAC
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in Washington for talks with President Trump, discussions that could help shape the relationship between the UK and the US for the next four years, Sky News reported.
In a short speech at the British ambassador's residence he was keen to emphasize the things the two countries have in common.
"We want to work with you, we want to welcome you to Britain," he said. "We want a new partnership, because our history shows that when we work together great things happen."
On Wednesday, the prime minister had brushed aside growing tensions between the White House and Europe over Ukraine, saying he trusted Donald Trump and wanted the "special relationship" to go "from strength to strength".
Speaking to reporters ahead of the White House meeting, Sir Keir insisted that the UK was working "in lockstep" with the president on the matter of Ukraine.
Asked if he could trust President Trump in light of what has happened in recent weeks, the prime minister replied "yes".
"I've got a good relationship with him," Sir Keir said.
"As you know, 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.
"And as I say, I want it to go from strength to strength."
Even before Sir Keir arrived in Washington, the choreography of the trip hit a little turbulence as President Trump appeared to pour cold water on the prospect of a US military backstop for Ukraine as part of any peace deal - a key UK and European demand.
"I'm not going to make security guarantees beyond very much," Mr Trump said at his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
"We're going to have Europe do that because Europe is the next-door neighbour."
