In a week marked by deep transatlantic tension, President Trump pointed the finger at Ukraine for the war with Russia, a charge vigorously rejected by Kyiv and its closest allies. Speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier today, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisted the conflict is Russia’s illegal aggression and stressed that any peace negotiations must keep Ukraine at the center.
These comments come on the heels of initial U.S.-Russian talks that sidelined Ukraine, a move Starmer warned could jeopardize any future peace settlement. Downing Street confirmed that the prime minister also spoke with Ursula von der Leyen, with both leaders emphasizing that Europe must strengthen its collective security.
Such messages, echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, will soon be delivered at the White House. Starmer’s impending visit to Washington could mark the most consequential meeting between a British prime minister and a U.S. president in decades.
Another twist in the high-stakes diplomacy is that Ukraine’s mineral wealth has unexpectedly become a bargaining chip. The country is rich in graphite, lithium, titanium and so-called rare earth minerals—resources largely located in areas now controlled by Russian forces. Sources say President Trump has suggested Ukraine forfeit half of these valuable deposits as compensation for American military aid.
In a display of political bravado during his first month in office, Trump delivered a speech at CPAC, asserting that the United States should be reimbursed for its financial support to Ukraine. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy emphasized that “the teams of Ukraine and the United States are working on a draft agreement that could strengthen our relations—if the details are arranged to ensure its success.”
With the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine looming this Monday, the diplomatic tightrope is more precarious than ever. Ukraine is not Starmer’s only challenge. The British prime minister must also navigate the risk of a potential trade war—with tariffs that could imperil the British economy—while pushing for a decisive boost in defense spending. With current spending at 2.3 percent of GDP, officials are targeting an increase to 2.5 percent by 2030, a move aimed at reducing Britain’s reliance on American security guarantees. The coming days will test the “special relationship” in ways never seen before.
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