Keir Starmer is facing a balancing act to support Ukraine and keep the US happy (Image: Getty, PA)
Sir is facing one of biggest moments of his premiership as he attempts to balance supporting in the war against while at the same type keeping happy.
Last week, the Prime Minister travelled to Washington for what was notably a very friendly meeting with the US President at the Oval Office during which passed on an invitation from for an unprecedented second state visit.
But fast-forward 24 hours and President was sitting in the same chair occupied by Sir Keir, but the reception for the Ukrainian quickly became decidedly unfriendly.
Played out before the media in scenes that shocked the world, the wartime leader of was called “disrespectful” by Mr Trump and Vice-President JD Vance, before the US president pulled the plug on an expected peace deal.
As European leaders, joined by the Canadian PM and Mr Zelensky, gather in London today for a summit, it’s become clear that Mr Starmer may need to walk a diplomacy tightrope to keep the United States part of any peace deal.
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Mr Starmer’s meeting with President Trump was noted was warm and friendly (Image: Getty )
The PM has been praised for the way he welcomed Mr Zelensky to the UK after the Oval Office showdown (Image: PA )
The Prime Minister said his “driving purpose” over the last few days has been reuniting and the US after their presidents clashed in the White House.
Sir Keir said he is “working hard” to bring about a lasting peace in the war-torn eastern European country.
‘s President will join the Prime Minister at today’s summit alongside the leaders of other European countries, before he heads off to meet the King.
Sir Keir told the ‘s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg the encounter made him feel “uncomfortable”, adding: “Nobody wants to see that.”
The Prime Minister said: “The important thing is how to react to that. There are a number of different routes people could go down. One is to ramp up the rhetoric as to how outraged we all are or not.
“The other is to do what I did, which is roll up my sleeves, pick up the phone, talk to President Trump, talk to President Zelensky, then invite President Zelensky for an extensive meeting yesterday, a warm welcome, and then further pick up the phone to President Macron and President Trump afterwards.
“My driving purpose has been to to bridge this, if you like, and get us back to the central focus.”
Sir Keir insisted he trusts both Mr Zelensky and Mr Trump, who he believes is motivated by a “lasting peace”.