Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on European leaders just as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer sought to reassure Parliament that the U.S. President remains committed to securing a Ukraine peace deal.
After days of frantic diplomacy, Starmer told MPs, “The US is vital in securing the peace we all want to see in Ukraine,” adding that Trump was “sincere” in his commitment to ending the war. However, even as Starmer spoke, Trump criticized European leaders for pushing the U.S. to continue its support against Vladimir Putin.
Trump also widened his rift with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, declaring, “America will not put up with it for much longer” after Zelensky warned that the war’s end remains “very, very far away.” His remarks followed a global outcry over his and JD Vance’s confrontation with Zelensky in the Oval Office last Friday.
Using his Truth Social platform, Trump condemned both Zelensky and European leaders, who had gathered in London under Starmer’s leadership to rally support for Ukraine. Referring to Zelensky’s pessimistic outlook on the war’s resolution, Trump stated, “This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelensky, 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 Zelensky, 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?”
His comments starkly contrasted with Starmer’s assertion that U.S. backing is essential to preventing further Russian aggression. European leaders, led by Britain and France, are scrambling to draft a new peace plan to present to Trump, with French President Emmanuel Macron proposing a one-month ceasefire—though Downing Street clarified that no deal has been finalized.
Starmer signaled Britain’s willingness to deploy peacekeeping forces in Ukraine as part of a “coalition of the willing.” He stated, “Britain will play a leading role, with, if necessary and together with others, boots on the ground and planes in the air. It is right that Europe does the heavy lifting to support peace on our continent, but to succeed, this effort must also have strong US backing.”
He agreed with Conservative MP Andrew Murrison that sending British troops without U.S. support would be “utter folly.” Starmer emphasized, “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 U.S. backstop, which is vital if it’s to act as a guarantee.”
Dismissing the notion of choosing between U.S. and European alliances, Starmer declared, “We will never choose between either side of the Atlantic. The U.S. is an indispensable ally. I also welcome the President’s continued commitment to that peace, which nobody should doubt for a second is sincere.”
While MPs largely backed Starmer’s diplomatic efforts, he took aim at Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who claimed Zelensky had been “rude” in the Oval Office and should accept Trump’s minerals deal. “Can I just remind him that 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?” Starmer retorted.
Meanwhile, Defence Secretary John Healey is set to visit the U.S. later this week to meet his counterpart Pete Hegseth as the UK intensifies efforts to revive peace talks. Defence Minister Luke Pollard also dismissed remarks by U.S. Ambassador Peter Mandelson, who suggested Ukraine should commit to a ceasefire before Russia. “That’s not Government policy,” Pollard stated.
As tensions mount, King Charles III met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Sandringham, reinforcing the UK’s solidarity with Ukraine. The meeting comes as discussions continue over a potential royal visit to Canada as part of a North American tour next spring. Charles, who has invited Trump for an unprecedented second state visit to the UK, is increasingly seen as a unifying figure in global diplomacy.
However, Trump’s remarks on Canada have also raised alarm, as he has repeatedly threatened to annex the country as the “51st state of America,” claiming that without U.S. financial support, “it ceases to exist as a viable country.” Trudeau, who attended the emergency summit in London, indicated he would raise concerns over Trump’s comments with King Charles.
