Early evening summary
Keir Starmer has told MPs that he “fundamentally” disagrees with anyone arguing that the UK should start to loosen security links with the US. During a two-hour statement in the Commons, several MPs suggested Britain can no longer trust America, particularly because of the way President Trump treated President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Friday. When the Lib Dem leader Ed Davey put it to him that the US was no longer a reliable ally on matters relating to Russia, Starmer said he disagreed. (See 4.01pm.) And, in response to another question, he said the UK had never split from the US before and should not start now. (See 4.19pm.) Starmer also restated his call for a peace deal in Ukraine to backed up by a robust US security guarantee. (See 4.41pm.) But, as Starmer was speaking, President Trump issued a new statement mocking the European “show of strength against Russia” – boosting fears that the transatlantic alliance is being tested as never before. (See 5.30pm.)
Updated
Plaid Cymru calls for government's fiscal rules to be revised as alternative to aid cuts
In the Commons Liz Saville Roberts, the Plaid Cymru leader, suggested that, instead of slashing the aid budget to fund higher defence spending, the government should revisise its fiscal rules. “Boosting defence spending shouldn’t be at the expense of international aid or public services starved of resources,” she said.
In response, Starmer said:
On the fiscal rules, I do think economic stability is vitally important. If we lose that we will lose far more than our budgets.
I will work across the house on whatever ways we can to increase development aid notwithstanding the budgetary constraints and that’s why I spoke to the president of the World Bank on Friday to have that very discussion.
In her resignation letter on Friday, Anneliese Dodds, the former development minister, suggested she also favoured a review of the government’s fiscal rules as an alternative to the aid cuts.
In the Commons the TUV leader Jim Allister asked Keir Starmer if the security guarantees he was seeking to Ukraine (as a US “backstop” to the protection provided by European troops on the ground) would be similar to the protection a Nato member would have under article 5.
Starmer replied:
Nato membership is a form of guarantee, article 5 is a form of guarantee, I think there are different ways in which the guarantee could be put in place.
But what is important is they are effective and that those in Europe leading on this do it in conjunction with the US so that Putin knows the severe risk he takes if he breaches any deal that may be arrived at.
In the Commons the Starmer statement has just finished. The last question came from the DUP’s Jim Shannon. He said, after bobbing up and down for so long, he probably had the strongest legs in the chamber. (MPs who want to ask a question have to stand up every time a question is over – it’s called bobbing – because if they don’t, they won’t be called.) In response, Starmer said he remembered finding that process odd when he first became an MP 10 years ago. But at least it keeps them all fit, he said.
Trump criticises European leaders for saying at Starmer's Lancaster House summit they need US support to deter Russia
Donald Trump has again attacked Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after the Ukrainian president said an end to his country’s war with Russia “is still very, very far away”.
In a post on Truth Social, the US president also criticised European leaders – including, by implication, Keir Starmer – for admitting that they needed US support to deter Russia. He said:
This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer! It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing and, Europe, in the meeting they had with Zelenskyy, stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the U.S. – Probably not a great statement to have been made in terms of a show of strength against Russia. What are they thinking?
Chris Stein has more on his US politics live blog.
Nick Timothy (Con) asks who in government is responsible for protecting offshore infrastructure from Russian attacks.
Starmer says it is the responsibility of the whole government. “But most of all it is my responsibility, as prime minister, to ensure the safety and security of our country and the threats to our country,” he says.
Jeremy Corbyn, Starmer’s predecessor, asks in what circumstances British troops would be deployed? And will the Commons get a vote?
Starmer says the one person who does not want peace is Vladimir Putin. He says of course it is right that the Commons should express a view on troop deployment.
Clive Jones (Lib Dem) says the US seems to be putting Russia first. It is not monitoring Russia cyber threats anymore. And JD Vance seems to be a mouthpiece for Russia. Given this, does the PM think he can keep President Trump on board until a peace deal is achieved.
Starmer says he thinks Trump is “completely sincere” in wanting a lasting peace.
Mark Sewards (Lab) says Starmer has “restored Britain’s place on the world stage”. He says he still meets people who question why money is being spent on Ukraine. What would he say to them?
Starmer replies:
It is in our national interest because insecurity and conflict in Europe always washes up on our shore. It has already done that.
The cost of living crisis is far worse because of the conflict in Ukraine. Oil prices, energy prices have gone through the roof in the last few years because of the conflict in Ukraine.
Working people in Britain are already paying the price, and there will be an even bigger price if we do not have a sustained and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Starmer says Russia has been “unrelenting” in its attacks on civilians in recent days.
Luke Evans (Con) says there is only one letter letter differntiates decent and deceit. But there is a key difference. Will Starmer remind President Trump of this when they next speak, in the light of what happened in the Oval Office on Friday?
Starmer repeats his line about who no one wanted to see what happened on Friday. He goes on:
But it is important that we pragmatically work forward to what matters most, which is lasting peace in Europe.
Dave Robertson (Lab) asks what Starmer is doing to ensure that European allies also rise to the challenge, and increase defence spending.
Starmer says he was discussin this “quite intensively” over the weekend.
Chris Law (SNP) accuses Starmer of folloing the “Trump playbook” in slashing aid spending.
Starmer says he does not accept that. The SNP want higher spending, but won’t say how they will pay for it. That is “unserious”, says Starmer.
(In Starmer’s mind, “unserious” is about the most damning thing you can say about anyone in politics.)
David Lammy updates Marco Rubio on Ukraine talks in London
David Lammy, the foreign secretary, and his US counterpart Marco Rubio have spoken about the “push for peace” in Ukraine, PA Media reports.
Lammy used the call to update the US secretary of state on the summit held in London on Sunday.
In the US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Rubio “thanked Foreign Secretary Lammy for the UK’s role in encouraging Europe to provide for its own defence and push for peace in Ukraine”.
Rubio “confirmed the United States is ready to negotiate to end the Ukraine-Russia conflict and will continue working with the UK towards peace in Ukraine”, the spokesperson added.
Starmer accuses SNP's Stephen Flynn of being keyboard warrior on Ukraine
At the weekend Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, accused Keir Starmer of being “weak” on Ukraine.
In the Commons the Labour MP Gregor Poynton asked Starmer if he agreed that Flynn made “juvenile” and “childish” statements, showing that his party could not be trusted on defence.
Starmer said different people react in different ways. Some people take to the keyboard as warriors, he said. He said he picked up the phone.
James Frith (Lab) says he wants to add his voice to the many people who have said that Starmer’s conduct in this matter have made them proud to be British.
John Whittingdale (Con) asks Starmer if he shares his sadness that any settlement will involve accepting the annexation of some Ukrainian territory. And he asks for an assurance that the Baltic countries, who are alarmed by this, will not be left out of further meetings.
Starmer says he discussions are still taking place (about a potential peace deal), but he suggests he shares Whittingdale’s feelings. And he says he spoke to the leaders of the Baltic countries yesterday. They feel the threat, he says. He suggests they should be included in future meetings.
Starmer says peace plan needs security guarantees 'that are worthy of the name'
Andrew Murrison (Con) says it would be “utter folly” to send troops into Ukraine without security guarantees from the US.
Starmer agrees:
I do agree with him, and that’s why I’m working so hard on security guarantees that are worthy of the name. That is a forward leaning European element, but with a US backstop, which is vital if it’s to act as a guarantee.
This suggests Starmer has not shifted his stance on the strength of a potential US security guarantee. The language being used by No 10 over the weekend implied there might have been a shift in thinking, although No 10 denied that earlier today. (See 1.33pm.)
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Starmer says getting approval to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine 'fiendishly complicated'
Alistair Carmichael (Lib Dem) asks why the £2.5bn raised from the sale of Chelsea Football Club, which used to belong to Roman Abramovich, has not been released for the benefit of the people of Ukraine.
Starmer says this is “fiendishly complicated”. He say releasing frozen assets for Ukraine is something that needs to be done with other countries.
Jeremy Hunt, the former Tory chancellor, praises the “considered” approach taken by Starmer. And he urges him to back a new, Europe-wide target for defence spending to reach 3% of GDP.
Starmer says defence spending needs to rise. He says he is in “near constant” conversation with Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary general, about this.
Adrian Ramsay, the Green party’s co-leader, says he welcomes Starmer’s strong support for Ukraine. But, given the scences in the Oval Office on Friday, and the fact that President Trump clearly sees this “as a business opportunity”, how will the PM ensure that the interests of Ukraine take priority?
By picking up the phone and speaking to President Trump and President Zelenskky, Starmer says.
Richard Burgon (Lab) says he is concerned about the prospect of British troops being deployed on the ground. He goes on:
There’s no getting away from the fact that we risk our country coming into a direct military conflict with a nuclear armed Russia, and the consequences for millions of people in our country, across Europe, of such war and nuclear conflict really do not bear thinking about.
Starmer says the risk lies in not willing to fight for democracy.
Starmer says US minerals deal on its own not enough to provide security guarantee for Ukraine
Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, said Ukraine has now agreed to sign a minerals deal with the US. He said this would lead to thousands of Americans working in Ukraine. Would that on its own be enough to form a security guarantee?
Starmer said “the mineral deal is not enough on its own.”
But he also chose to reprimand Farage for his stance on President Zelenskyy. (See 11.48am.)
Can I just remind him, Russia is the aggressor, Zelensky is a war leader whose country has been invaded, and we should all be supporting him and not fawning over Putin.
Updated
Starmer says UK has never before chosen to stand alone from US and 'we shouldn't choose it now'
In response to a question from Helen Maguire (Lib Dem), Starmer repeated his point about disengaging from the US being a mistake. He said:
I would just caution against perhaps the suggestion, if I got it right in the second half of her question, that somehow we should take this as a moment to go it alone without the US.
I fundamentally disagree with that. I think it would be the wrong [decision]. We have never chosen that course in our history. We shouldn’t choose it now.
Updated
Starmer says he does not expect US to cancel support for Ukraine, despite report saying Trump considering this
Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader, asks Starmer about reports that Trump is meeting today to discuss withdrawing support for Ukraine.
The New York Times is reporting that Trump will hold a meeting with adviser
The president will meet with senior advisers “including cancelling aid [for Ukraine] that was approved and paid for by the Biden administration”, the Telegraph says.
Starmer replies:
I haven’t seen reports of the US withdrawing support for Ukraine, and as I understand, that is not their position.
But he also criticises the SNP for recently renewing its commitment to nuclear disarmament. He says that “a completely wrong-headed decision they should reconsider”.
Cat Smith (Lab) asks if the government will return aid spending to 0.7% of GNI (gross national income) when the fiscal circumstances allow.
Starmer says he does want to do this.
Starmer says Israel’s decision to block aid going into Gaza is “completely wrong”.
James Cleverly, the Tory former foreign secretary, said he thought Starmer had not “put a foot wrong” this weekend. But he said he thought the government needed to go even further in raising defence spending.
Starmer tells Ed Davey he does not agree with him that Trump not reliable ally on matters relating to Russia
Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, says people were “horrified” by the scenes in the Oval Office on Friday.
Referring to an answer that Starmer gave at his press conference yesterday, Davey says:
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.
He also asks Starmer to confirm that what Peter Mandelson said yesterday (see 9.12am) was not government policy.
In response, Starmer says:
On the dependency on the US, I do not agree with him.
The US and the UK have the closest of relationships, our defence, our security, our intelligence, are completely intertwined. No two countries are as close as our two countries, and there’d be a huge mistake at a time like this to suggest that any weakening of that link is the way forward for security defence in Europe.
On what Mandelson said, Starmer says his position is clear: the government is working, especially with the French, on a plan that will be put to the US., and then shared when details are available.
Emily Thornberry, the Labour chair of the foreign affairs committee, says Starmer response at the weekend was “pitch perfect”.
But she says she is concerned that the cuts to the aid budget are so far reaching that, even though support for Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan is supposed to get priority, “it is hard to believe that there will be enough left in the budget to provide meaningful humanitarian support in these priority areas”.
Starmer says he wants to ensure they are prioritised.
And he says he spoke to the president of the World Bank on Friday about about methods that could be used to finance overseas aid.
Kemi Badenoch said the Conservatives were backing the government’s stance on Ukraine.
In her response to Starmer, she asked for detail on some point, but said she welcomed what he did at the weekend.
In respoonse, Starmer confirmed that he had Badenoch had a conversation about this this morning.
He confirmed details of any troop deployment would be put the Commons in due course.
He said using frozen Russian assets, not just the interest from frozen Russian assets, was a complicated issue. But he said the government did want to move forward on this.
And, on sanctions, he said agreed with Badenoch that they should not be lifted immediately fighting stops
Starmer said Britain would play a leading role in the “coalition of the willing”, protecting Ukraine, “with, if necessary, and together with others, boots on the ground and planes in the air”.
He concluded:
It is right that Europe do the heavy lifting to support peace on our continent, but to succeed this effort must also have strong US backing …
We stand by Ukraine because it’s the right thing to do, but we also stand by them because it’s in our interest to do so, because if we do not achieve a lasting peace, then the instability and insecurity that has hit the living standards of working people in Britain that will only get worse, and Putin’s appetite for conflict and chaos that will only grow.
So a strong peace, a just peace, a lasting peace, that has now to be our goal.
Starmer sums up the four parts of the plan to help Ukraine discussed by European leaders yesterday.
First, that we must keep the military aid to Ukraine flowing, keep increasing the economic pressure on Russia, and to that end, alongside our partnership on air defense, we are doubling down on military aid. Already this year, we have taken our support to record levels, but on Saturday, we also agreed a new £2.2bn loan for Ukraine, backed not by the British taxpayer, but by the profits from frozen Russian assets.
Second, we agreed that any lasting peace must guarantee the sovereignty and security of Ukraine, and that Ukraine must be at the table when negotiating their future. That is absolutely vital.
Third, we agreed that in the event of a peace deal, we will continue to boost Ukraine’s defenses and Ukraine’s deterrence.
And finally, fourth, we agreed to develop a coalition of the willing ready to defend a deal in Ukraine and guarantee the peace.
Starmer says crowd who cheered Zelenskyy in London on Saturday 'speaking for whole country'
Starmer refers to the “moving scenes” that greeted President Zelenskyy when he arrived at No 10 on Saturday.
I saw for myself he was taken aback when the crowd in Whitehall cheered at the top of their voices and they were speaking for the whole of our country, a reminder that this government, this house and this nation, stand in unwavering support behind him and the people of Ukraine.
Starmer says nobody should doubt Trump's commitment to peace in Ukraine sincere
Starmer says he welcomes President Trump’s commitment to peace in Ukraine, “which nobody in this house should doubt for a second is sincere”.
Starmer says past week has shown why taking sides between US and Europe would be 'totally unserious'
Keir Starmer is speaking now.
He says MPs face “the test of our times”.
Less than a week since I called on this House to show the courage of our predecessors.
We see clearly before us - the test of our times.
A crossroads in our history.
And he says he situation Britain faces shows how national security is combined with economic security.
He says the deal he announced last night symbolishes the new era – allowing Ukraine to use £1.6bn to buy missiles that will be made in Belfast. That will put Ukraine in the strongest possibl, while helping UK jobs.
He says what happened in the Oval Office between President Trump and President Zelenskyy was “something nobody in this house wants to see”. But he goes on:
But I do want to be crystal clear – we must strengthen our relationship with America, for our security, for our technology, for our trade and investment.
They are, and always will be indispensable, and we will never choose between either side of the Atlantic.
In fact, if anything, the past week has shown that that idea is totally unserious, because while some people may enjoy the simplicity of taking a side, this week has shown with total clarity that the US is vital in securing the peace we all want to see in Ukraine.
Updated
Starmer to make statement to MPs on Ukraine
Keir Starmer is about to make a statement to MPs about Ukraine.
Here is the statement he made at the start of his press conference yesterday about the summit he chaired for (mostly) European leaders about cooperating to support Ukraine.
His opening statement is likely to overlap quite a lot with what he said yesterday.
Lib Dems accuse Farage of acting like 'Trump's spokesman in Britain'
Like the Conservatives (see 12.31pm), the Liberal Democrats have also condemned Nigel Farage for siding with Donald Trump against Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his comments on LBC this morning. (See 11.48am). Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, said:
Nigel Farage is once again showing his true colours as Trump’s own spokesman here in Britain.
Zelensky showed courage and integrity in that room - in stark contrast to Farage’s cowardly approach of licking Trump’s boots.
Farage is more focused on promoting Trump and Musk’s interests in the UK than British interests in the States. He was once again parroting White House talking points this morning, to the dismay of British people here at home. It’s clearer than ever that Nigel Farage is simply out for himself and his Mar-a-Lago cronies.
Weapons and fighter jet manufacturer BAE Systems has seen its shares soar higher as the defence sector received a boost following the Ukraine summit hosted by Keir Starmer over the weekend, PA Media reports. PA says:
Shares in BAE hit a record high after jumping by 19% at one stage in Monday morning trading, helping the wider FTSE 100 Index lift to a new all-time high, up 0.5% at 8,856.5.
Among stocks, engine maker Rolls-Royce followed closely behind BAE on the blue chip index, with a 6% rise amid the rally in the defence sector.
Starmer praises jobs potential of defence sector as MoD promises to spend more with SMEs
Keir Starmer has hailed the defence sector as offering “the next generation of good, secure, well-paid jobs”.
Speaking at an event for apprentices and representatives from the defence sector in Downing Street, Starmer said:
For those of you that are thinking about a career in defence, in this industry, I hope the students feel inspired by what they see today, the opportunities before them and the possibilities for their own future.
Because this isn’t just about security for Britain, it’s about security for working people as well; the next generation of good, secure, well-paid jobs and the pride and purpose of knowing your work keeps the nation safe.
Last week Starmer announced that he will raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDPby 2027. The government presented this as a jobs announcement, as well as a security announcement, and today the Ministry of Defence is announcing that it will set targets for how much of defence spending should go to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
In a news release, the MoD says:
The government has today announced its plans to launch a new hub to provide small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with better access to the defence supply chain and committed to set direct SME spending targets for the Ministry of Defence by June this year. This is a chance for small, often family-owned, firms to bring their innovations, their agility and their expert workforce to the task of strengthening Britain’s defences. It will help create new jobs, boosting the economy of small towns and suburbs in the UK.
592 migrants arrived in UK on small boats yesterday, highest daily figure for 2025, figures show
Nearly 600 migrants arrived in the UK on Sunday after crossing the Channel, according to data released by the Home Office. PA Media says:
Figures published today indicated that some 592 migrants arrived on 2 March across 11 boats, the highest number of arrivals on a single day so far this year.
It takes the total number of arrivals this year to 2,716. Before Sunday the previous daily high for arrivals was 260, which was recorded on 13 January.
This is 20% higher than at the same point last year, when the total stood at 2,255, but 8% lower than at this stage in 2023, when the total was 2,953.
French authorities have also released a statement on recuse operations that took place overnight from March 1 into March 2.
Migrants on a number of boats requested assistance from the French authorities through the night, including two on one boat who were suspected of having hypothermia.
Sunday’s figures take the total number of crossings since Keir Starmer became prime minister to 25,958.
No 10 says Starmer not watering down security guarantee he's seeking from US for Ukraine peace deal
At the morning lobby briefing the PM’s spokesperson said that Keir Starmer believed that Europe would have to do the “heavy lifting” in terms of providing the force that would provide Ukraine security in the event of a peace deal. But Starmer also thought this effort would need “strong US backing”, the spokesperson said.
Some reporters queried why the spokesperson was talking about “US backing”, and not a “security guarantee”, which is the wording Starmer was using last week ahead of his meeting with President Trump in the White House.
Asked if the government was still looking for a security guarantee from the US, the spokesperson replied:
That position has not changed. Obviously, the discussions in terms of what that looks like are for the discussions. We will be taking those discussions forward. But it is absolutely crucial, and the prime minister has made it repeatedly clear, that US backing is needed to provide that necessary deterrence.
Government sources have suggested that, while Europe would provide the troops to help protect Ukraine on the ground, for it to be effective it would require the US to provide air cover and other back-up, logistical support.
But, asked about this, the spokesperson said the UK government had not publicly clarified what it was asking for. He said:
The form of the security guarantee, we have not set out. That is for future discussions. But we are absolutely clear that only the United States can provide the ultimate deterrent to Putin. We’ve been really clear that we need a durable and lasting peace in Ukraine, and that the US is going to be a key part of achieving that.
No 10 says 'intense' work under way to build on European plan to help Ukraine
Downing Street has said that “intense” work is now taking place to work to develop the proposals to help Ukraine that were discussed at yesterday’s summit in London.
Speaking at the No 10 lobby briefing, the PM’s spokesperson said:
The summit yesterday agreed some important steps forward, and the prime minister outlined a four-step plan there, both in terms of keeping military aid flowing to Ukraine and increasing the economic pressure on Russia, that any lasting peace must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, third, in the event of a peace deal we will keep boosting Ukraine’s own defensive capabilities, and finally that we will go further to develop a coalition of willing to defend a deal in Ukraine and guarantee the peace.
There’s now obviously intense work going to take forward that work. We will obviously update as we get any further news on that.
As the PM also said yesterday, we obviously want to keep up this momentum. There’s going to be various options on the table which are now subject to further discussions with both US and European partners. The defence secretary will be travelling out to the US this week.
Asked about the French proposal for a one-month ceasefire, the spokesperson said this was one of several options on the table. But he said he would not be proving commentary on the various plans that have been floated.
Asked if it was helpful for Peter Mandelson to be saying that President Zelenskyy should be giving his unequivocal backing to President Trump’s plan, the spokesperson said Luke Pollard covered this in his interview this morning. (See 9.12am.) He said Keir Starmer has been clear about wanting to see a “durable peace”.
Updated
The Commons authorities have confirmed that Keir Starmer is making a statement to MPs on Ukraine after housing questions today. There are no urgent questions, and so it will start at 3.30pm. It is likely to run for at least 90 minutes.
Voters overwhelmingly support cutting aid budget to fund higher defence spending, poll suggests
Britons support Keir Starmer’s decision to cut the aid budget to fund a larger defence budget by a margin of more than three to one, polling from YouGov suggests.
The proposal is especially popular with Reform UK supports, according to the polling. But even Labour and Liberal Democrat supporters are overwhelmingly in favour.
65% of Britons support the government's plan to increase defence spending by cutting overseas aid
— YouGov (@YouGov) March 3, 2025
Support: 65%
Oppose: 20%
By party voted for in 2024
Reform UK: 91% support
Conservative: 83%
Lib Dem: 62%
Labour: 61% pic.twitter.com/IATrcE52fW
Tories compare Farage to Jeremy Corbyn and describe his criticism of Zelenskyy as 'morally wrong'
When Kemi Badenoch first became Conservative party leader, the Tories were inclined to ignore Reform UK as much as possible. But with Reform UK ahead of the Conservatives in most recent polls, Badenoch’s party is fighting back more aggressively.
In response to Nigel Farage’s LBC phone-in (see 11.48am), Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, has described his stance on President Zelenskyy as “morally wrong”. She also compared him to Jeremy Corbyn because of his stance on Russia. She said:
Nigel Farage is completely wrong. President Zelenskyy is a hero, who has stood up to Putin’s aggression, and led his country’s defence against their barbaric and illegal invasion over the last 3 years - and it is troubling to not hear the Leader of Reform say that.
For Nigel Farage to sit there pointing the finger at Zelenskyy is both morally wrong and diplomatically counterproductive. At this uncertain and dangerous time, one would hope that MPs of all stripes would be putting our national interest first, rather than playing politics.
But sadly, it is not surprising. Like Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Reform UK seems to have history equivocating over Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.
Key points from Nigel Farage's LBC phone-in
Here are some more detailed quotes from Nigel Farage’s LBC phone-in covered earlier.
Farage, the Reform UK leader and President Trump supporter, claimed that “good” was going to come out of Trump’s shouting match with President Zelenskyy in the White House of Friday. He said:
What is interesting is that before Zelenskyy had left the White House, he realised that he had overplayed his hand … Before Zelenskyy even left the White House, he was willing to go back in and sign the minerals deal …
I actually think good is going to come of Friday. Zelensky is going to sign the deal.
Farage claimed Zelenskyy handled the meeting “very badly”.
I think President Zelenskyy was very unwise to tell the Americans what would happen to them if they didn’t back him. I think it was unwise. Sure, Vance and Trump bit back. But I think in diplomatic terms Zelenskyy played it very badly.
Even Peter Mandelson, the British ambassador, is making very, very similar points. [See 9.12am.]
Asked if Trump and JD Vance were right to treat Zelenskyy in the way they did, he replied:
I wouldn’t expect a guest to be rude to me in my own house, absolutely not. I would expect a guest to treat me with respect. Doesn’t mean for a minute that Vance and Trump - I’m not defending what they did.
Farage defended the journalist who criticised Zelenskyy for wearing his trademark military-style sweatshirt to the meeting, not a suit.
You know what? If I turned up on the White House. I’d make sure I was wearing a suit and that my shoes were clean, absolutely.
Our prime minister was briefed and briefed and briefed as to how to deal with the visit to the White House. If Zelenskyy wants to bowl in and show no respect to a man who we all know is incredibly old fashioned about this stuff … if you are going in with a positive mindset, maybe Zelenskyy should have thought about that.
And he defended criticising Zelenskyy for not wearing a suit in the Oval Office but not Elon Musk.
Musk isn’t negotiating with Trump, and Musk isn’t asking for billions of dollars from Trump, and Musk isn’t asking for military support from Trump.
Farage said he was “surprised” that Trump told Starmer he was inclined to support the Chagos Islands sovereignty deal. For weeks Farage has been saying that, from his contacts with people inside the Trump administration, he believed Trump was opposed to it. Asked why he got this wrong, Farage said that Trump only said he was “inclined” to support the deal last week.
Trump said he was inclined to support it. Maybe he would just be nice to Keir Starmer, who was there in the Oval Office. He can be nice to people in the Oval Office.
I have to say, I’m very surprised, having spoken to some people who are cabinet members there.
Asked why he thought the US had changed its mind, he said.
They probably think the Brits are going to do this anyway, that the Brits are desperate to get rid of the Chagos islands for some sort of student politics-type reason. And that if Britain is going to get rid of it anyway, then this is the best of a bad job.
He claimed the US will not contribute financially to the cost of the Chagos Islands deal.
What I’ve also been told by senior Americans is they will not be paying a penny. So they probably think, if we’ve got use of the base for a long time, if the Brits are going to pay the bill, then OK, fine.
He defended saying Andrew Tate is an important influence for young men. That did not mean he was saying this was a good thing, he said. He was describing a phenomenon, not supporting it, he claimed.
Tate has become a powerful voice for many young men. I am not saying that is a good thing. But I’m not surprised in some ways that some of these things are happening.
When we were playing football in Germany recently, England fans were told don’t sing, don’t chant and don’t drink more than two pints. We’re telling young men not to be men. We’re almost emasculating young men. And so they’re looking for other role models.
He defended the Trump allies Elon Musk and Steve Bannon over claims they have both performed Nazi salutes at rallies. Asked specifially about the more recent Bannon salute, he said:
As for Musk and Bannon – both of whom I know, Steve, I know very well – I think what Bannon was doing was, frankly, taking the mickey out of Musk because Musk had done something similar to that just after the inauguration. Are they Nazi salutes? I don’t think they are for a moment.
Asked what they were if they were not Nazi salutes, Farage replied “very unwise”. Asked if they were attempted Nazi salutes, he replied:
Well, they’re not really Nazi salutes because they’re out to the side, not in front. Look, we could we could drill down … Do I think Musk’s a Nazi? No.
UK still sharing spy data with US even though Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's intelligence chief, seen as pro-Russian, minister says
In his interview on the Today programme this morning, Luke Pollard, the defence minister, was asked if if the UK is still sharing intelligence with the US, given that Tulsi Gabbard is President Trump’s director of national intelligence. Gabbard is so sympathetic to Russia that she has been described by Democrats as a possible Russian asset.
Asked by Justin Webb if the UK could be sure that intelligence given to the US would not get to the Russians, Pollard replied:
Yes. We have a deep and serious relationship, both on intelligence, security and defence matters. This is a daily and continuous relationship. It keeps the UK safe. It keeps America safe from us having this deep relationship, and it’s one that we are planning to continue.
(This was one of those questions where what was most surprising was not the answer, but the fact that it was asked in the first place.)
Pollard also said the government is confident that the US remains committed to Nato’s article 5, which says that an armed attack on any Nato country should be considered an attack on all of them, triggering a collective response. He said President Trump confirmed this at his press conference with Keir Starmer on Thursday.
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Minister plays down claim UK committed to plan for month-long ceasefire in Ukraine
As Jakub Krupa and Martin Belam report on our Europe live blog, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, is floating proposals for a month-long ceasefire in Ukraine covering air, sea and attacks on critical infrastructure.
In interviews this morning, Luke Pollard, the defence minister, played down reports that this is a plan that Britain is formally backing. Asked about French government claims to this effect, he replied:
No agreement has been made on what a truce looks like, and so I don’t recognise the precise part you mentioned there. But we are working together with France and our European allies to look at what is the path to how … we create a lasting and durable peace in Ukraine.
Asked again about the peace plan being discussed, Pollard replied:
You wouldn’t expect me to get into the details of what that plan looks like, because at the moment, the only person that would benefit from those details being put in the public domain before any plan is agreed would be President Putin.
Gavin Robinson, the DUP leader, has welcomed Keir Starmer’s announcement yesterday that Ukraine will be able to use export finance worth £1.6bn to buy 5,000 missiles from a factory in Belfast.
Speaking on BBC’s Good Morning Ulster, Robinson said that plan, which will create 200 jobs, was “hugely significant” for the city. He went on:
Significant because of the turbulence in international relations in the last week.
Significant because of the contribution that Thales have been making to Ukraine since the start, in fact before the start of Russia’s brutal invasion, and significant because of the recognition that is given through this order to the skill and the ingenuity of the team at Thales.
Papers rally behind Starmer for role he's playing in building up European support for Ukraine
The nation’s press has dubbed the prime minister a “peacemaker” and “statesman” for his efforts in leading the charge for increased European support for Ukraine, following last week’s tense meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump, PA Media reports. PA says:
Keir Starmer convened an emergency defence summit of European leaders at the weekend, telling European powers they must realise it is “time to act”, and warned they stand at a “crossroads in history” as he committed £1.6bn in support for Ukraine.
The Times praises the PM’s call for a “coalition of the willing” from Ukraine’s European allies, but warns the power of any peacekeeping force would be limited without US firepower.
The paper says: “The risk is that Sir Keir is talking himself into a deployment that could result in Britain’s threadbare army fighting with no US help. After decades of freeloading on defence, Europe would be hard put to field anything but a token force in Ukraine. Sir Keir must try to lower the temperature and re-establish unity. At the same time he must tread carefully on an openended commitment. Britain’s forces should not be asked to write cheques they cannot cover.”
The Daily Telegraph agrees with the PM’s remarks that Europe is “at a crossroads”, writing in a leading article that the continent “needs to adapt” to US “disengagement”.
However, the paper says Vladimir Putin will ultimately benefit from the evolving schism between the US and Europe.
Those sentiments are echoed by the Daily Mirror, which writes in a leading article: “It is worth trying to pull Trump back from the brink to stop any sweetheart deal with Putin to the detriment of Ukraine. But Starmer recognises Britain and Europe must hope for the best, while preparing for the worst.”
The Daily Express lauds the PM’s role in showcasing “Britain’s reputation and clout on the world stage”. “Fair play to Sir Keir Starmer, he has acted with the calmness of an international statesman in dealing with a crisis,” the paper’s editorial states.
Meanwhile, the Independent says the prime minister has “adopted the role of peacemaker and… bridge-builder between America and Europe to resolve the latest crisis over Ukraine”. The paper’s editorial adds: “The framework for a peace plan created by Europeans for Europeans is being created – a crucial initiative and one that should give fresh momentum after the debacle at the White House on Friday.”
The Sun calls on European nations who have not yet offered their full support to Ukraine to do so, writing: “Europe needs to act decisively now in Ukraine’s defence — and its own — if there is to be a chance of seeing off the threat from Putin and securing a just and lasting peace.”
The Daily Mail says the PM is about to enter “the ultimate test” of his statesmanship. An editorial states: “His principal mission is to keep the US within Nato. Without American military might, guaranteeing European security will be infinitely harder. Equally, he can’t allow Ukraine to be sold down the river. It is a delicate diplomatic balance.”
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Turning back to Ukraine, Farage says President Zelenskyy needs to call elections as soon as a peace deal is agreed.
He says that, in saying Zelenskyy needs to be realistic and make up with President Trump, he is just saying what Peter Mandelson has been saying.
And that’s the end of the Farage phone-in.
The next caller suggests it is time for Farage to resign as Reform UK leader. He says Farage now represents the establishment. He says he and Keir Starmer chat have “chinwags” together in parliament, he says.
Farage says he does not think the caller is a genuine Reform UK supporter. He says he cannot help it if Starmer wants to talk to him in the Commons chamber.
Asked if he regretted speaking at CPAC (the Conservative Political Action Conference) in the US after Steve Bannon gave a Nazi salute there, Farage said that he had been going to CPAC for years and did not regret speaking.
He said he did not think Bannon was giving a Nazi salute. He said he thought Bannon was actually mocking Elon Musk over the gesture he made that was described as Nazi salute. He said Musk and Bannon were at war with each other.
Asked about his previous support for Andrew Tate, Farage said that he described Tate as a powerful voice for young men. That was not necessarily a good thing, he said. He said he does not support all the things Tate says.
Farage says Zelenskyy handled Oval Office meeting with Trump 'very badly'
The next caller asked about President Trump’s meeting with President Zelenskyy, and whether Russia should be prosecuted for war crimes.
Farage described the Oval Office meeting as a spat.
He said there have been a million casualties from the war. The longer it goes on, the more that suits Russia, he said.
He said, before President Zelenskyy left the White House, he realised he had “overplayed his hand”. Zelenskyy wanted to go back and sign the mineral deal.
Farage claimed good would come from the meeting.
Q: Do you think Trump and JD Vance bullied Zelenskyy?
Farage said Zelenskyy played it “very badly”. He said he was “very unwise to tell the Americans what would happen to them if they didn’t back him”.
Q: Was it right for a journalist to ask Zelenskyy why he was not wearing a suit?
Farage said that if he was turning up at the White House, he would wear a suit.
Q: What about Churchill?
He was not dealing with Trump, said Farage.
Q: Did anyone from Starmer’s team speak to you ahead of the meeting with Trump?
No, said Farage.
But he said Starmer was respectful towards Trump. Trump is “quite old fashioned” in matters like this, Farage said.
And he said the Ukraine situation showed that Starmer is now exploliting the benefits of Brexit. In a statement at the weekend, Starmer said that the UK was in a unique position to mediate between Europe and the US, he said.
UPDATE: See 11.48am for a fuller version of the quotes.
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Farage admits he was 'very surprised' to hear Trump back Labour's Chagos Islands plan
Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, has been taking questions in an LBC phone-in.
The first question was about the Chagos Islands.
Q: Why were you so wrong on the Chagos Islands? You said President Trump would not back it, but he said last week he would.
Nigel Farage said Trump only said he was “inclined” to back the plan.
And he said he was “very surprised” by what Trump said.
He went on to say that he he had spoken to some administration insiders about this. He said the US won’t pay a penny towards the deal.
Q: But you got this wrong?
Farage said he thought that Trump might change his mind.
UPDATE: See 11.48am for a fuller version of the quotes.
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Peter Mandelson criticised after saying Ukraine should give ‘unequivocal backing’ to Trump’s plan
Good morning. Domestic politics has not gone away, but it is all being eclipsed at the moment by the Ukraine crisis, and the efforts Keir Starmer is leading to develop a Europe-led peace plan and – crucially – to keep the US and Europe at least broadly aligned. The stakes are enormous. Labour is very proud of the role the Attlee government played in creating Nato, but now its future as a funtioning alliance is in doubt. In his press conference yesterday Starmer said he did not accept the US was now an “unreliable ally”. But many Europeans who watched President Trump and JD Vance bully and belittle President Zelenskyy on camera in the Oval Office on Friday will have come to a different conclusion.
Starmer is expected to make a statement to MPs about his visit to the White House, and yesterday’s summit in London, and that should start after 3.30pm.
Here is our overnight story about yesterday’s summit.
Luke Pollard, the defence minister, has been giving interviews this morning, and one issue he has had to address is a comment from Peter Mandelson, the former Labour cabinet minister and new UK ambassador to Washington, which implied that London is siding more with Trump than Zelenskyy. In an interview with ABC yesterday, Mandelson said:
We need a very radical reset. The reset has to consist of the US and Ukraine getting back on the same page. And President Zelenskyy giving his unequivocal backing to the initiative that President Trump is taking to end the war and to bring a just and lasting peace to Ukraine.
And the Europeans too need to back the calls for a ceasefire. And by the way, I think that Ukraine should be the first to commit to a ceasefire and defy the Russians to follow.
This provoked an angry backlash in the UK. James Cleverly, the Conservative former foreign secretary, posted this response on social media.
The UK ambassador to Washington isn’t meant to communicate his own opinion, he is meant to communicate the UK government opinion.
Lammy and Starmer need to grip this.
And Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, posted this.
What is Mandelson up to? You cannot square what the Prime Minister said this morning with this. What is the Government’s actual position?
Our man in DC should be securing US protection for our brave Ukrainian allies, not telling President Zelensky what to do.
In an interview with Sky News this morning, asked if Mandelson’s comments reflected government policy, Pollard replied:
No. It’s certainly right that Ukrainians want peace. I think of all the people on our continent that want peace, the Ukrainians want it the most.
But we’re still in discussions, diplomatic engagement with our European, US and Ukrainian friends as to the shape of that deal.
But it’s certainly right that the war could stop tomorrow if President Putin stopped his illegal and unprovoked aggression. He could stop this war.
Asked if Mandelson misspoke, Pollard replied:
That’s not government policy and you wouldn’t expect me to commentate on every ups and downs in negotiations.
According to Politico’s London Playbook, Mandelson believes his comments have been wrongly interpreted. The ambassador “was reflecting government policies to an American audience, and any suggestion otherwise is hair-splitting nonsense”, a Washington embassy insider told Playbook.
I will be covering UK aspects of this story, but its ramifications go well beyond this country. Martin Belam is covering events from an international perspective on our Europe live blog.
Here is the agenda for the day.
9am: Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, holds a phone-in on LBC.
10.30am: The Covid inquiry’s module dealing with PPE procurement opens with statements from counsel.
11.30am: Downing Street holds a lobby briefing.
Lunchtime: Keir Starmer and John Healey attend a lunchtime event to promote a government initiative to help small businesses bid for defence contracts.
2.30pm: Angela Rayner, the deputy PM and housing secretary, takes questions in the Commons.
After 3.30pm: Keir Starmer is expected to make a Commons statement about Ukraine, and his attempts to develop a Europe-led peace plan.
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