The papers: 'Putin will strike again' and Starmer heads to DC

According to *The Daily Mirror*, Keir Starmer will warn Donald Trump that Ukraine's history could repeat itself unless the United States continues to provide security support. European leaders have already launched a coordinated diplomatic effort to dissuade Trump from agreeing to a ceasefire agreement that favors Russia. Starmer is scheduled to arrive in Washington on Thursday to further reinforce this message.

*The Daily Telegraph* also headlined with this warning, stating that the Prime Minister is prepared to "confront" Trump and that he will convey concerns about Vladimir Putin potentially invading Ukraine again in the future if arrangements are not made now. The paper emphasizes the urgency of securing long-term security commitments for Ukraine.

*The Times* reports that Starmer will seek US "backing" in exchange for British troops joining other European forces as part of a peacekeeping force in Ukraine. Trump has indicated that US support for any such arrangement would be limited. *The Guardian* also previewed the talks between Trump and Starmer, saying that negotiations on Ukraine could be crucial to securing a peace agreement that protects European security.

According to *The i* newspaper, Starmer plans to use the prospect of a state visit as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Trump. He will hint that the red carpet could be rolled out for the US President, as it was in 2019, in an effort to bring him closer to Europe's position on Ukraine. This strategy aims to leverage the prestige of a state visit to influence Trump's stance.

*The Financial Times* reports that Trump's comments about the EU existing to "rip off the US" have raised concerns about a transatlantic trade war. The paper states that the White House is considering imposing a 25% tariff on goods imported from the EU. *The Metro* focuses on negotiations between Ukraine and the US regarding an agreement that would allow American companies access to the country's mineral extraction industry. Trump has sought to make this agreement a prerequisite for any potential US security guarantees to Ukraine.

*The Daily Mail* leads with a story about Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claiming that part of the additional defense spending announced by the government on Tuesday will be used for the Chagos Islands agreement with Mauritius. The government hopes to transfer sovereignty of the islands (which house a joint British and American military base) to the East African nation, but this could actually be vetoed by the White House. The disagreement highlights potential tensions between the UK's foreign policy goals and US interests.

According to *The Daily Express*, police plan to search the attic of the former home of Claudia Lawrence, who disappeared about 16 years ago. The paper states that investigators have never searched a "hidden loft" before. This new search represents a renewed effort to find clues in a long-unsolved case.

*The Daily Star*'s front page features a screenshot of an AI-generated video shared by Trump on social media. The video shows the president's vision of a future rebuilt Gaza, including a towering golden statue of himself. He has repeatedly proposed rebuilding the area after resettling the Palestinians who live there, an idea that has been widely rejected by Arab nations. The image underscores Trump's controversial views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Finally, *The Sun* accuses the Princess of Wales of sparking a transatlantic "jam war." She discussed her preserve recipe during a visit to a community garden in Wales on Wednesday, days after the Duchess of Sussex launched her own line of jam as part of a new business. The seemingly trivial event has been interpreted as a lighthearted rivalry between the two royal women.