But fears Washington will cut its transatlantic defence commitments and exclude Ukraine from peace talks with Putin have the UK on a collision course with the Republican administration, with Sir Keir repeatedly warning that there can be “no talks about Ukraine without Ukraine”.
Sir Keir Starmer has thrown down the gauntlet to Donald Trump, calling for the US to provide a “backstop” to deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again after meeting with European leaders for emergency talks on the war.
The prime minister - who will travel to the US later this month - said allies on the continent would have to step up in terms of both spending and capability as he spoke following talks with partners in Paris on Monday.
“But there must be a US backstop, because a US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again.”.
The prime minister said a US security guarantee would be the only way to effectively prevent Moscow from attacking the country again in future.
