Seeking to play down the impact of the shock to Europe of Trump setting out what appears to be a unilateral plan for an end to the war that began when Russia invaded Ukraine, Reynolds said it remained possible that Ukraine may be permitted to join Nato, saying the US had “said everything is still on the table”.
With Keir Starmer expected to travel to Paris on Monday for an emergency summit of European leaders, in advance of a possible trip to Washington the following week, Reynolds said the UK had still not given up on persuading the US to allow Ukraine to join Nato.
The UK hopes to act as a “bridge” between Europe and Donald Trump’s US, the business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, has said before what could be a crucial week of diplomacy in deciding Ukraine’s future.
The Paris gathering is being organised by the French president, Emmanuel Macron, to come up with a joint European response to US efforts to exclude European leaders from the peace talks, as well as issues such as Ukraine’s future membership of Nato.
With the Sunday Times reporting that Starmer wants to overrule any Treasury worries and confirm an increase in UK defence spending – denied by No 10 sources – Reynolds declined to give any details but said the entire government realised the need for this.
