Ukraine needs US security guarantee to deter Putin - PM - Voice of Asia

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reiterated his call for the United States to provide security guarantees to Ukraine to deter Vladimir Putin from further invasion, as he prepares to meet with Donald Trump. Starmer stated that he hopes the UK-US relationship can be "strengthened day by day." This enduring alliance remains crucial for global stability and security.

However, the two leaders differ on the importance of US security guarantees to Ukraine, particularly in any peace agreement. Starmer indicated that discussions about potentially sending British troops to Ukraine are ongoing, but he reiterated his belief in the importance of a so-called American "backstop." Such a commitment would provide vital support and reassurance to Ukraine.

When asked what form he thought this backstop should take, he said: "The precise form, the precise content of the backstop, is obviously a matter of intense discussion, but I don't want to get ahead of myself other than to say I'm very clear what the principle is." Trump, on the other hand, stated: "I'm not going to make security guarantees beyond that. We're going to let Europe do that, because we're talking about Europe as a neighbor."

Trump added that the anticipated agreement between Washington and Kyiv regarding the extraction of Ukrainian minerals is "great" for Ukraine because "they let us go past." "We're going to be on that land, and so there'll be automatic security because nobody's going to be messing around with our people." It remains unclear how much security support European leaders are requesting from the US, nor the size of the US ground presence in Ukraine related to the minerals agreement.

Speaking at a reception at the British Ambassador's residence in Washington, Starmer told guests that he wanted a "new partnership" with the US, saying "our best days are ahead of us." Turning to domestic policy, the Prime Minister said "taking the chainsaw is not my style," a reference to a stunt by Elon Musk at the conservative CPAC conference earlier this week, but he said "we are stripping away red tape and bureaucracy."

Lord Mandelson, the British Ambassador to the United States, said that Trump was a "very significant president" and that "all freedom-loving democracies in the world" faced a "very significant moment." Following Starmer's visit, Trump will host Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy has indicated that the agreement regarding minerals is preliminary and that he still hopes to reach more agreements, arguing that without US security guarantees, "we will have no ceasefire, nothing will work."

Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy, speaking on ITV's Peston program, expressed optimism about the proposed US deal. "If America's interests are in Ukraine, then that's the best security guarantee that Ukrainians can have. So I hope they can get a deal done in the coming days," he said. Starmer's remarks, made ahead of a meeting at the White House on Thursday, were noticeably cautious, given the stakes and sensitivities surrounding Ukraine, the Middle East, and trade with the US since Trump's presidency.

Strengthening and deepening the US-UK relationship may be his ambition, but it is far from guaranteed when facing such an unpredictable president. But when asked if he could trust Trump given his remarks in recent weeks, the Prime Minister replied: "Yes, I have a good relationship with him. As you know, I've met him, I've spoken to him on the phone, and the relationship between our two countries is a special long-standing relationship, built on us fighting together, trading together. And as I say, I want it strengthened day by day."

Does he believe President Trump accepts that Russia is the aggressor in Ukraine? "Of course, the President has been very clear about the peace that he wants – and he's right. We all want peace – the question is, how do we make sure it is a lasting peace." Starmer insisted: "We have no disagreement on that."

Earlier this week, the Prime Minister said that the UK would increase military spending to 2.5% of national income by 2027, a move seen as an attempt to ingratiate himself with the US President, who has frequently criticized European nations for failing to increase defense spending. This increase is being funded by cuts to the foreign aid budget, angering international development charities and some of the Prime Minister's own MPs. In addition to the war in Ukraine, talks are expected to include discussions on artificial intelligence. Downing Street hopes for what it calls "further integration" between the two countries' tech sectors.

The potential flashpoints facing Starmer are numerous and significant – this is a landmark moment in his first year as Prime Minister.