Relations between the U.K. and the U.S. grew strained during Boris Johnson’s term, particularly when Donald Trump pressured Britain to remove Chinese tech giant Huawei from its 5G network due to security concerns. Ultimately, the U.K. sided with the U.S., but the decision caused tension with China. There’s a possibility that Trump, if he returns to office, may reignite this difficult dynamic with China once more.
On the global diplomatic stage, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to use the upcoming G20 summit to rally further support for Ukraine, which continues to defend itself against Russia’s invasion as the conflict nears its landmark 1,000th day.
“We must commit to full support for Ukraine, for as long as needed,” Starmer told reporters, putting this issue at the top of his agenda.
Though he did not specifically mention Trump, it’s clear that international leaders are working to secure as much solidarity as possible for Ukraine before the potential return of Trump, given his skepticism regarding U.S. assistance to Kyiv.
At the G20, Starmer intends to push U.S. President Joe Biden for a $20 billion loan to support Ukraine as Biden’s presidency enters its final weeks. Additionally, the U.K. prime minister plans to seek approval for Ukraine’s use of Storm Shadow missiles to target critical Russian sites.
When asked about German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin—the first in nearly two years—Starmer avoided any direct criticism. In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern, comparing the call to opening “Pandora’s box.”
“It’s up to Chancellor Scholz who he chooses to speak with,” Starmer said diplomatically, firmly adding, “I have no plans to speak with Putin.”
Leave a Reply