UK’s Starmer stresses need for enhanced Arctic security in call with Trump

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke by telephone with US President Donald Trump on Saturday, focusing on strengthening security in the Arctic. Starmer described Arctic security as an absolute priority for his government.

They further discussed the Ukraine–Russia war and the need for continued international support for Kyiv, according to a statement from 10 Downing Street.

The two leaders agreed on the importance of making progress towards a sustainable ceasefire in the Ukraine–Russia war. The prime minister repeated that international partners must keep supporting Ukraine in its defence against Putin’s “barbaric attacks”.

However, dialogues are set to continue after Ukraine and Russia concluded a second day of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi without reaching an agreement. Both sides agreed to meet again next weekend. The discussions showed no sign of progress as overnight Russian airstrikes left more than a million Ukrainians without power in subzero conditions.

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‘Insulting and frankly appalling’: Starmer condemns Trump’s Nato remarks on Afghanistan From Starmer to Macron: European leaders fume over Trump's Greenland tariffs

Starmer criticises Trump’s Nato remarks

On Friday, Starmer strongly criticised Trump over his comments on Nato’s role in Afghanistan, describing them as “insulting and frankly appalling”.

Starmer responded after Trump said Nato troops stayed away from the front line during the conflict in Afghanistan.

“We’ve never needed them, we have never really asked anything of them,” he said in an interview with Fox News in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. “You know, they’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that, and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”

Speaking to reporters, the British prime minister said the remarks had caused deep pain to families of those who served. “I consider President Trump’s remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, and I’m not surprised they’ve caused such hurt for the loved ones of those who were killed or injured,” Starmer said.

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