Donald Trump’s latest action come as a defiant Keir Starmer reportedly plans to return to Washington DC – with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky – to present a “united front”
Petulant Donald Trump is considering relinquishing its leadership of NATO as he insists UK and France should take more responsibility for the security of the continent, reports claim.
The US leader had been encouraged by his friend and adviser Elon Musk to exit the defence alliance, of which his nation has held its leadership position since its founding in 1949. Since then, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe has always been a senior US general.
But it is now understood Mr Trump, 78, is ready to take Mr Musk’s advice, a disconcerting move which would be unprecedented. The US has recently insisted European allies take more responsibility for Europe’s security.
The US leader has already ordered the temporary pause of US military aid for Ukraine after his Oval Office blowup with Volodymyr Zelensky. US Vice President JD Vance, meanwhile, has accused Mr Zelensky of having a “certain sense of entitlement”.
Mr Trump’s historic spat with the Ukrainian leader stunned Western allies but he has since warned he will “not put up with” Mr Zelensky, 47, for much longer. It is believed the debacle has led to Keir Starmer hatching a plan to return to Washington DC – but with Mr Zelensky – to present a “united front” on the peace plan.
The Daily Mail reports Mr Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, President of France, have spoken to Mr Zelensky about a trip to the US as soon as next week. Following the showdown there on Friday, Mr Zelensky told Ukrainian media he “really values” America’s support and is “ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts”.
Mr Trump, meanwhile, is about to deliver a major speech to Congress. It is unclear what exactly the world leader will address but sources told the Mail it may concern plans for American firms to exploit Ukrainian reserves of rare minerals “at any time”.
Mr Trump’s decision to suspend aid for Ukraine is a major blow to Mr Starmer’s four-step plan for Ukraine, which begins with: “Keeping military aid flowing into Ukraine while the war is ongoing.” President Macron, meanwhile, had initially suggested a one-month pause in the fighting in the air and at sea, but the proposal is now expected to be open ended.
