Britain’s prime minister has spent months meticulously building a friendly rapport with Donald Trump. He has been generous with praise toward the US president, even before Trump’s election victory in November, earning Trump’s description of him as “very nice.”
On Thursday, Starmer may finally see something concrete in return. His visit to Washington marks his most significant foreign policy test yet, coming at a crucial moment for Ukraine’s future. Starmer has positioned himself as a potential mediator, capable of tempering Trump’s confrontational approach and conveying the concerns of the West.
The alternative scenario is less optimistic: Starmer may find that he’s been constructing a bridge to nowhere. He and Trump are not natural allies; their past holds complications, and their worldviews are sharply divided. While Starmer emphasizes the “special relationship” between Britain and the US at every turn, that bond is becoming strained. Their priorities are simply misaligned.
The stakes couldn’t be higher,” says Claire Ainsley, former executive director of policy for Starmer, now at the US-based Progressive Policy Institute. She told CNN, “This visit is a significant test for relations between Europe and the United States, and Europe and the United Kingdom.”
Urgency on Ukraine
Trump’s position on Ukraine has cast doubt over the long-standing transatlantic alliance, much like it has affected other key relationships, including the U.S. ties with NATO. Trump has been cozying up to Russian President Vladimir Putin, criticized Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, and left Europe sidelined in negotiations over the war. Starmer’s visit comes on the heels of French President Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to restore those fractured ties during his own visit to Washington, and will set the stage for Zelensky’s trip to the U.S. on Friday.
All three leaders aim to secure a peace plan that Ukraine and Europe can accept—one that doesn’t sacrifice Ukrainian territory and ensures American support for maintaining peace. Britain and France are spearheading diplomatic efforts to assemble a potential European peacekeeping force, which could enter Ukraine if a ceasefire is agreed. However, this plan relies on a U.S. security presence, likely centered around air power, stationed in a nearby NATO country such as Poland or Romania.
On Monday, Trump remarked, “Europe is going to make sure nothing happens” after a peace deal is signed. But Starmer has emphasized that Europe cannot bear the burden alone, arguing that American support is crucial to prevent future Russian aggression. He reiterated this view en route to Washington, telling reporters that American security guarantees are the only way to keep Putin at bay. More urgently, Starmer will work to persuade Trump to include Zelensky in future talks about Ukraine’s fate—a key demand from Europe, which is deeply concerned about a pro-Moscow deal being imposed on Ukraine.
Navigating a Difficult Relationship
Starmer faces an uphill battle. This visit matters more to him than it does to Trump, who has shown little regard for European powers. Trump has threatened major tariffs and has upended decades of U.S. foreign policy, which had traditionally prioritized European security.
Ahead of his trip, Starmer made a significant gesture by announcing a hike in Britain’s defense spending to 2.5% by 2027, and 3% by the middle of the next decade—an unexpected acceleration of Britain’s defense goals, which involves massive spending. The British military has been stretched thin, and a major review of the army is expected soon, with experts predicting it will highlight several shortcomings.
“We must change our national security posture, because a generational challenge requires a generational response,” Starmer said when unveiling the new policy. He admitted that recent global events have driven the need for change.
While some European leaders, such as Germany’s likely next leader Friedrich Merz, argue that Europe should achieve more independence from the U.S., Starmer—like Macron and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni—believes that Trump can be convinced to distance himself from Putin.
Challenges at Home and Abroad
Starmer may face difficult questions during his visit. Members of his Labour Party have historically criticized Trump. As an opposition MP, Starmer once stated that Trump’s endorsement of Boris Johnson was proof that Johnson wasn’t fit to be prime minister. Last year, Trump accused Labour of interfering in U.S. elections after activists campaigned for Kamala Harris.
Since then, Starmer has kept any internal criticisms of Trump tightly controlled, though privately, Labour officials have been alarmed by Trump’s recent actions on Gaza and Ukraine. One Labour MP told CNN that Trump’s “diplomacy by Twitter” approach raises concerns about European defense and the spread of misinformation.
The ‘Insane’ Chagos Deal
In addition to the Ukraine crisis, Starmer faces other challenges at the White House. One of the most controversial issues is his plan to hand over the Chagos Islands, Britain’s last African colony, to Mauritius. The deal would secure the future of the U.S.-U.K. military base at Diego Garcia, but it requires Trump’s approval, and many believe Trump will object to the terms. The deal involves a hefty financial settlement for Mauritius, which has close ties to China—raising security concerns on both sides of the Atlantic.
Some former Conservative ministers, including Grant Shapps and Penny Mordaunt, have voiced strong opposition to the plan, warning of potential risks to national security. There is also some opposition within Starmer’s own party, with one Labour MP expressing doubts about the deal.
Starmer’s Balancing Act
Ukraine, the Chagos Islands, China, and Starmer’s past remarks about Trump are all sensitive topics that must be addressed during this visit. While Starmer is unlikely to publicly challenge Trump, he has little room left for flattery. The clock is ticking on these difficult conversations.
Starmer’s primary goal is to boost Britain’s economy, not make enemies, but the world has thrust him into a pivotal diplomatic role. Whether he likes it or not, he now finds himself at the center of a global power struggle that is on the verge of collapse.
As Starmer noted earlier this week, Trump has “changed the global conversation” on Ukraine. Now, it’s Britain’s turn to speak.
WRITTEN BY : MR KENDRICK
