Starmer discusses 'forthcoming visit' to US in talks with Trump

LONDON

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Donald Trump Thursday night during a meeting with the US president's special envoy to the UK, former television producer Mark Burnett, at 10 Downing Street.

According to a readout, Starmer and Burnett discussed the “unique and special” relationship between the UK and the US, reaffirming the strength of the alliance and the close ties between the two nations.

During the meeting, Starmer also took a call from Trump and the two spoke about the prime minister’s forthcoming visit to the US.

Burnett, 64, appointed as Trump’s special envoy in December, reflected on his personal connections to the UK, including his mother’s experience working part-time as a waitress in Downing Street over 30 years ago.

The discussion also touched on areas of potential collaboration between the two countries, particularly in trade, technology, and cultural matters.

The meeting comes as the UK faces the prospect of new US trade tariffs under the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, Starmer also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and assured that the UK remained committed to ensuring Ukraine was on an “irreversible path to NATO membership.”

US Defense Secretary Pete Hagseth has ruled out Ukraine's NATO membership and return to pre-2014 borders if the country's three-year-long war with Russia is to be ended through negotiations.