British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer held a telephone conversation with United States President Donald Trump today, which is expected to be their last call for 2025. According to Downing Street, the call took place on Sunday afternoon and focused on the war in Ukraine, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, as well as the appointment of the new British ambassador to Washington.
A spokeswoman for the British Prime Minister's Office said the two leaders began their conversation by reflecting on developments in the war in Ukraine. Sir Keir Starmer briefed President Trump on the work of the "Coalition of the Willing", which aims to support any possible peace agreement and ensure a just and sustainable end to the wars.
The focus then shifted to the Middle East, where the two leaders discussed the situation on the ground in Gaza, at a time when the ceasefire remains fragile and humanitarian concerns are high. According to local authorities in Gaza, hundreds of civilians, including children, have lost their lives since the ceasefire was established, making the situation even more complicated.
During the conversation, the British Prime Minister also informed the US President of the appointment of Dr. Christian Turner as the new UK Ambassador to the US. Dr. Turner, a long-serving diplomat and currently the UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN, will replace Lord Mandelson, who was dismissed in September following revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. According to Sir Keir Starmer, the appointment is expected to further strengthen relations between the two countries. President Trump, who spoke from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, and Prime Minister Starmer concluded the conversation by wishing each other a Merry Christmas.
Personal relations between Starmer and Trump have generally been good, with the British prime minister avoiding public criticism of the US president. However, he recently expressed displeasure at Trump's abusive language towards a journalist, stating that he would never accept anyone addressing his daughter in that manner.
The call comes as the US has said it is ready to offer Ukraine security guarantees similar to those of NATO, while Trump himself has claimed that the parties are "closer than ever" to a peace agreement. On the other hand, Kremlin officials have announced that talks on a peace plan with the US are moving forward "constructively."
The war in Ukraine has entered a crucial phase, with increased diplomatic efforts to reach a peace agreement, while the conflict in Gaza continues to cause severe humanitarian consequences. The UK and the US remain key players in international efforts for stability and security, both in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. / The Independent