UK Foreign Secretary Keir Starmer has found himself caught between two warring world leaders, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, after the US President’s phone call with Russia sparked a diplomatic crisis. The sudden shift in Trump’s stance on Ukraine joining Nato highlights the UK’s delicate balancing act.
Trump announced that Ukraine would no longer join Nato, dealing a blow to Ukraine’s hopes of membership. However, UK officials have maintained that Ukraine is still on track to join the alliance. Starmer’s spokesperson has reiterated that “no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine” and that Nato has committed to Ukraine’s membership.
The US President’s change in stance has raised eyebrows among European leaders, who are scrambling to adjust their own positions. The UK, however, seems to be maintaining its distance from Trump’s rhetoric while still seeking to build bridges with Washington.
Starmer must tread carefully between his duty to support EU allies and his efforts to maintain a rapport with the US President. If he can successfully navigate this tightrope, he may be able to help Ukraine in its bid for Nato membership.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/13/trumps-ukraine-call-with-putin-leaves-uk-sounding-at-odds-with-reality