Keir Starmer was warned that Donald Trump is choosing to ‘align with tyrants like Putin’, with Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey saying the US President is not a reliable ally against Russia
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey says UK must cut dependence on US
Keir Starmer has been warned that Donald Trump is choosing to “align with tyrants like Putin” as the world enters a “new era”.
In a dramatic speech Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said Trump’s vile attack on Volodymyr Zelensky demonstrated the need for the UK to distance itself from the US. But the PM shot the suggestion down – saying there is no need to choose between America and Europe.
Sir Ed told the Commons: “We’re all horrified by Friday’s scenes in the Oval Office for President Trump’s attack on the brave and dignified President Zelensky that everyone shocked and appalled except, it seems, the honourable member for Clacton (Nigel Farage).
“Nobody else watching those scenes could fail to understand that we’ve entered a new era, one where the United States prefers to align itself with tyrants like Putin rather than his democratic partners.” And he continued: “We need to reduce our dependency on the United States, because I say with deep regret, I fear that President Trump is not a reliable ally with respect to Russia.”
Mr Starmer shot back that it would be a “huge mistake” to cut ties with America. He said: “On the dependency on the US, I don’t agree with him. The US and the UK have the closest relationships of defence and security are completely intertwined.”
But addressing the ugly scenes from the White House, which saw Trump accuse Mr Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three”, Mr Starmer said: “Now, what happened in his subsequent meeting with President Zelensky is something nobody in this House wants to see. But I do want to be crystal clear. We must strengthen our relationship with America through security, technology, trade and investment.”
It came as the PM updated MPs on an emergency summit in London on Sunday, which saw European leaders including Mr Zelensky discuss plans for peace.
He has said he hopes to be a bridge between Europe and the US, and anchor a “coalition of the willing” to bring about an end to the war. On Sunday he hosted European leaders, including Mr Zelensky, three days after meeting Donald Trump in the White House.
The PM said we are at a “crossroads in history” and said action is desperately needed. He has said the UK is prepared to put “boots on the ground and planes in the air” to enforce a peace agreement if one is reached – and called on allies to do the same.
Mr Starmer said: “We have to lead from the front, and therefore, we need a coalition of the willing. Because otherwise we will move at the speed of the most reluctant. And that will be too slow.”
In a speech at Lancaster House on Sunday he said: “We are at a crossroads in history. It is not a moment for more talk, it’s a time to act, a time to step up and lead, and to unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace.”
Mr Starmer used a press conference to announce that Ukraine will be given £1.6billion of UK export finance to buy 5,000 air defence missiles, which will be made in Belfast. Following the historic talks he said leaders had agreed:
- To keep the military aid flowing and keep increasing the economic pressure on Russia
- That lasting peace must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, and Ukraine must be at the table
- If a peace deal is reached, allies will keep boosting its defence capabilities to deter future invasions
- A ‘coalition of the willing’ will be set up to defend any deal and guarantee peace
The PM told the gathering of 18 other leaders and officials: “This is a once in a generation moment for the security of Europe and we all need to step up.”
