AN SNP MP has questioned whether Donald Trump is listening to the Prime Minister.
Dave Doogan asked Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday about his previous reassurance that the United States wouldn’t cut military aid to Ukraine – which Trump swiftly did one day later until it was restored today.
He asked: “It’s against that backdrop, because I know the Prime Minister wants a just and lasting peace in Ukraine that respects Ukraine's borders and territorial integrity, when he's impressing that priority upon the President of the United States, what reassurance can he give the House today that the President of the United States is actually listening?
Starmer responded that, after Trump’s announcement, he and his team quickly went to work.
“I can assure the House that a huge amount of hard work, discussions and diplomacy was used with all of our allies and others,” he said.
“I am pleased that we've made progress. I think that's very important for Ukraine.”
The Prime Minister joined America in urging Vladimir Putin to now agree to the 30-day ceasefire proposal put forward by Trump’s US administration, as he insisted the “ball is now in the Russian court”.
America also announced it would immediately lift its suspension of military aid to Ukraine and its intelligence sharing with Kyiv, following talks between the two nations held in Saudi Arabia.
On Wednesday, Defence Secretary Healey will meet his counterparts from France, Germany, Italy and Poland in Paris to discuss joint work on building up Europe’s deterrent against Russia.
It follows a gathering of military chiefs in the French capital on Tuesday, aimed at thrashing out commitments for what Sir Keir dubbed the “coalition of the willing”: the group of nations that want to lead peacekeeping forces in Ukraine should a deal be struck.
Ahead of the talks, Healey said it was now a “decisive moment for the future of Ukraine and for the security of Europe”.
He added: “The UK remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine, and we will continue to lead alongside our European partners as we push for a just and lasting peace.
“European nations are stepping up. By deepening our defence co-operation, boosting spending and enhancing our collective strength, we send a clear message: we will not waver in standing with Ukraine and defending our shared values.”
