Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to confirm a timeline for increasing the UK’s defence spending while also delivering an invitation from King Charles III for Donald Trump to make a state visit to Britain, according to reports.
Sir Keir will travel to Washington next week, where he is expected to navigate a complex diplomatic landscape. His meeting with the US president will require balancing Britain’s firm support for Ukraine with the necessity of maintaining strong ties with the United States. The trip comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Kyiv, as Mr Trump pushes for negotiations with Russia while excluding Ukrainian representatives from the talks.
According to The Telegraph, Sir Keir is expected to announce that the UK will reach its target of spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2030, up from the current 2.3%. This move is seen as an effort to alleviate American pressure on European allies to take on a greater share of the burden for regional security. The Prime Minister will also formally extend an invitation from the King for a state visit, an offer expected to be well received given Mr Trump’s well-documented admiration for the British royal family.
Sir Keir’s visit to Washington coincides with the three-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. To mark the occasion, the Prime Minister is expected to unveil a fresh package of support for Kyiv, including additional sanctions on Russia and a new defence agreement.
His visit follows a trip to the US by French President Emmanuel Macron, who has been vocal in urging the American leader not to take a weak stance against Vladimir Putin. Mr Trump, however, has criticised both Mr Macron and Sir Keir, claiming they have failed to take meaningful action in ending the conflict.
“They haven’t done anything,” Mr Trump said in an interview with Fox News. “The war’s going on, no meetings with Russia, no nothing. Macron is a friend of mine, and I’ve met with the Prime Minister and he’s a very nice guy, but nobody’s done anything.”
The growing rift between Washington and Kyiv is a cause for concern in European capitals. Mr Trump has described Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “dictator,” while Mr Zelensky has accused the US leader of falling for Russian “disinformation.” The dispute escalated further when American officials cancelled a planned joint press conference with Mr Zelensky, signalling a deepening divide.
Business magnate Elon Musk, who is advising Mr Trump on federal spending, has also weighed in, claiming Ukraine is running a “fraud machine feeding off the dead bodies of soldiers.” These remarks reflect a growing scepticism within US political circles regarding continued American financial and military support for Kyiv. However, Mr Trump’s Ukraine envoy, retired General Keith Kellogg, has praised Mr Zelensky as a “courageous leader of a nation at war,” following what he described as “extensive and positive discussions” between the two men.
Domestically, Sir Keir is under pressure to take a firm stance when he meets Mr Trump. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has accused the US president of attempting a “stitch-up” with Mr Putin, which he said would amount to a betrayal of Ukraine.
“I think we’re all astonished and deeply alarmed, and if the British Prime Minister doesn’t reflect that, he’s not reflecting the views of the British people,” Sir Ed said.
However, senior government figures argue that maintaining a productive relationship with the White House is a top priority. Cabinet minister Pat McFadden stressed the importance of handling US relations carefully.
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“I think the UK is potentially in a good position with this administration, if we handle it correctly,” he said during an event at the Scottish Labour conference. “Handling it correctly doesn’t mean following every twist and turn of every comment, but focusing on what will actually happen.”
Meanwhile, Poland’s President Andrzej Duda is set to meet with Mr Trump, following what he described as a “candid” discussion with Mr Zelensky. Mr Duda has urged the Ukrainian leader to remain “calm and constructive” in his dealings with the US president.
In another sign of shifting diplomatic winds, Washington has put forward a new draft United Nations resolution regarding the Ukraine conflict. Unlike a competing European-backed resolution that explicitly demands the full withdrawal of Russian forces, the American draft stops short of such a demand. Instead, it mourns the “tragic loss of life” and urges “a swift end to the conflict and a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.”
As Sir Keir prepares for his trip, he faces the delicate task of reaffirming Britain’s commitment to Ukraine while ensuring the UK remains closely aligned with its most important ally. With tensions between the US and Ukraine deepening and Europe growing increasingly anxious about Washington’s approach, the Prime Minister’s visit could prove pivotal in shaping the next phase of the war.
