Former US President Donald Trump has criticised British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, claiming they “haven’t done anything” to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
Sir Keir and Mr Macron are both due to meet with Mr Trump in Washington next week amid escalating tensions between the United States and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The US leader has recently begun negotiations with Russia to end the conflict but has controversially excluded Kyiv from the discussions.
Speaking on a Fox News podcast, Mr Trump defended his decision to leave Ukraine out of the talks, arguing that Mr Zelensky’s participation had not yielded any progress over the past three years.
“He’s been in the meetings for three years and nothing got done,” Mr Trump said. “So I don’t think he’s very important to be at meetings, to be honest with you.”
When asked about the upcoming visits from Sir Keir and Mr Macron, Mr Trump was equally dismissive.
“They didn’t do anything either (to end the war). The war’s going on, no meetings with Russia, no nothing,” he said. “They haven’t done anything. 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.”
Pressure on Starmer to challenge Trump
Sir Keir’s visit to Washington comes at a delicate moment, as he faces mounting pressure to challenge Mr Trump on his stance towards Ukraine. Many in the UK fear that a deal between Washington and Moscow without Kyiv’s involvement could legitimise Russian aggression and undermine Western support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
On Friday, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused Mr Trump of orchestrating a “stitch-up” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that any unilateral peace deal without Ukraine’s consent would be a “betrayal.”
“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. He urged Sir Keir to speak “honestly and openly” with Mr Trump about the need to stand firmly behind Ukraine.
Despite calls for a tough stance, senior Cabinet minister Pat McFadden emphasised the need to maintain a “good and constructive relationship” with the US. Speaking at a fringe event during the Scottish Labour conference in Glasgow, Mr McFadden urged caution in dealing with Mr Trump’s rhetoric.
“I think the UK is potentially in a good position with this administration if we handle it correctly,” he said. “Handling it correctly doesn’t mean following every twist and turn of every comment, but focusing on what will actually happen as well as what was said.”
Sir Keir’s challenge will be to navigate this diplomatic minefield—reaffirming Britain’s commitment to Ukraine while ensuring that relations with the US remain strong.
Growing divide between Trump and Zelensky
Sir Keir’s visit comes at a time of heightened tensions between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky, with the US leader recently branding the Ukrainian president a “dictator.” Mr Zelensky, in turn, has accused Mr Trump of operating within a “Russian disinformation space.”
The worsening relationship was underscored this week when White House officials cancelled a planned joint press conference in Kyiv, a move widely seen as a snub to Mr Zelensky. The split has raised concerns in European capitals about the future of US military and financial support for Ukraine.
Adding to the controversy, billionaire businessman Elon Musk—who is advising Mr Trump on federal spending—suggested that Ukraine is running a “fraud machine feeding off the dead bodies of soldiers.” His remarks have further fuelled speculation that US backing for Kyiv may be waning.
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However, Mr Trump’s Ukraine envoy, retired General Keith Kellogg, sought to ease tensions on Friday, describing Mr Zelensky as an “embattled and courageous leader of a nation at war” following what he called “extensive and positive discussions” between the two leaders.
Macron’s warning to Trump
Before Sir Keir’s visit, Mr Macron is scheduled to meet with Mr Trump on Monday. The French president has vowed to push back against any attempts to appease Mr Putin.
In a recent social media Q&A, Mr Macron made clear his message to Mr Trump: “Don’t be weak.”
“It’s not you, it’s not your trademark, it’s not in your interest,” Mr Macron said. “How can you then be credible in the face of China if you’re weak in the face of Putin?”
A crucial diplomatic moment
Sir Keir’s upcoming visit to Washington will test his ability to balance UK foreign policy objectives with the shifting dynamics in US-Ukraine relations. While his government has reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine, securing continued support from Washington will be vital.
His meeting with Mr Trump may determine the UK’s role in shaping the future of the war—and whether Britain will stand firmly with Ukraine or risk being sidelined in what could become a controversial peace settlement.
