Keir Starmer appeared sidelined at tonight’s crunch meeting between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders, as the Ukrainian leader begins the long negotiations for peace.
Sir Keir made a last-minute decision on Sunday afternoon to jet out to Washington DC for the talks, rumoured to have been forced to cut a rare holiday short.
However appearing on camera this evening for a European leaders’ discussion about peace in Ukraine, the British premier appeared out in the cold, while French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian PM Georgia Melonie flanked President Trump.
Sir Keir was pushed to the far end of the table, awkwardly leaning in to see the US president speak.
The Prime Minister was also called to speak second-last, despite claiming to have led efforts to US-European diplomatic efforts, after EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ms Meloni and Mr Macron.
He only addressed the US President before the leader of Finland.
Mr Trump declared this evening’s meeting an historic first for the White House, to host so many different heads of state, Prime Ministers and presidents.
Addressing President Trump, Sir Keir said all leaders present “want lasting peace”, noting the impact on Ukrainians, Europe and the UK.
“When we talk about security, we’re talking about the security not just of Ukraine but the security of Europe and the United Kingdom as well, which is why it’s such an important issue.
“I really feel we can, with the right approach this afternoon, make real progress, particularly on the security guarantees and your indication of security guarantees – some sort of Article 5-style guarantees – fits with what we’ve been doing with the coalition of the willing, which we started some months ago.
“With the US coming alongside what we’ve already developed I think we can take an historic step forward today for security in Ukraine and security in Europe.”
He outlined his hopes for the meeting would be greater clarity on what security guarantees the US is now proposing to back the peace, and plans for a potential trilateral meeting between President Trump, President Zelenskyy and President Putin.
MORE TO COME…
