What's on Starmer's mind? British PM justifies distrust of Putin with Churchill references
The New York Times published an article based on several conversations with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in recent days. The article offers a glimpse into the Prime Minister's overall sentiments and his subjective assessments, particularly of Russia.
Starmer, in particular, explained what the main mission of the multinational “assurance force” that Britain and France are trying to cobble together is.
" I don't trust Putin, " the New York Times quotes the British prime minister as saying in this context. "I'm sure Putin will try to insist that Ukraine be defenseless after the deal, because that will give him what he wants, which is the opportunity to enter [Ukraine] again," he says.
It is noted that Starmer's persistent distrust of Putin is in active opposition to the opinion of the US leadership, conveyed, in particular, by the recent interview of Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff with conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson.
In particular, Witkoff said in two interviews this week that he trusts Putin, does not believe in his desire to conquer Europe, and that European leaders such as Starmer are trying to play the role of “Churchill” without good reason.
"It sounded like further evidence of growing tensions between the United States under Trump and its European allies," the New York Times concluded.
Starmer responded by saying that Britain would not choose between the US and Europe, and also recalled Churchill.
"A lot of people are calling for us to choose between the US and Europe. Churchill didn't do that. Attlee didn't do that. It would be a big mistake, in my view, to choose now," Starmer said.
The aforementioned Clement Attlee, a Labourite like Starmer, came to power in Britain in the first election after World War II, which Churchill lost. Attlee's government was actively involved in the creation of NATO.
An example of Starmer's approach to the "special relationship" with the US under Trump was what he did after the scandal with Trump during Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the US on February 28, after which the Ukrainian leader was kicked out of the White House, the American newspaper writes.
"At that moment, the British prime minister said, many were calling on him to openly support Zelensky and condemn Trump. "I thought it better to pick up the phone, talk to both sides and try to reconcile them," the New York Times quotes Starmer as saying.
Not content with that, Starmer sent his national security adviser Jonathan Powell to Kyiv to coach Zelensky on how to improve relations with Trump.
“Over several sessions, two senior British officials said, they came up with language to assuage Zelensky’s concerns about a cease-fire in which the Russians would continue to fire,” the New York Times reported.
English version :: Read in English What's on Starmer's mind? The British Prime Minister justifies his distrust of Putin by citing Churchill.