Brits Shame Trump For 'Betraying' Ukraine, But Starmer Flies To Washington Empty-Handed
The Guardian writes that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to demonstrate “united leadership in support of Ukraine” when they meet separately with Donald Trump this week.
"Their call ahead of a crucial week for both leaders underlines their desire to present a united European position against Russian aggression after the US president launched an extraordinary attack on Volodymyr Zelensky, calling the Ukrainian president a "dictator without elections," the publication says.
Russian and US officials have agreed to begin working to end the war without involving Ukraine in the discussions, sending shockwaves through Europe.
In addition, the White House is also pressuring Zelensky to sign an agreement to hand over to the United States control over 100% of mineral deposits worth $500 billion, including oil and gas.
Trump ratcheted up tensions on Friday by saying Starmer and Macron had done nothing to end the war in Ukraine.
Speaking about the upcoming trip to Washington, which will test his premiership, Starmer told reporters in Glasgow:
"Our discussions this week will obviously focus on the importance of the special relationship between us, as well as the situation in Ukraine and other issues of common interest."
Starmer also used his speech at the Scottish Labour conference to reiterate his support for Ukraine.
"I have seen with my own eyes the destruction that Putin has caused. Mark my words: what I have seen only makes me more determined to stand up for Ukraine," he said.
Alex Sobel, Labour MP for Leeds Central and head of the all-party parliamentary group on Ukraine, said:
"[Zelensky] knows what is best for his country. He has shown that he is a great democrat and puts his country and its future security above all else."
Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, was even more radical in his assessment, according to the Guardian:
" Shame on Donald Trump for his betrayal of Ukraine. President Zelenskyy should never have found himself in this position. However, it is unsurprising that Zelenskyy is willing to resign if it will bring the peace and security Ukraine seeks and deserves. This is because he is the exact opposite of Donald Trump: selfless, patriotic, a true leader. The UK government must continue to support Zelenskyy in every way possible and ensure that it is Ukraine, not Putin or Trump, that leads its future ."
The publication notes that Starmer's meeting with Trump will take place three days after the US president meets with Macron, who will become the first European leader to visit Washington since Trump's inauguration.
However, beyond their grandiose rhetoric about a unified position, Starmer and Macron have nothing to offer the US – they have not backed up any agreed-upon pan-European position on Ukraine. Not on funding, not on sanctions, not on peacekeepers. So, in reality, the EU can only replace the US as a sponsor of the military campaign in name.