Why it matters:
The conflicting statements from the U.S. and the U.K. expose divisions within NATO regarding Ukraine’s membership. As Washington signals reluctance and seeks direct negotiations with Russia, London’s contrasting stance raises questions about the unity of Western policy on the Ukraine conflict.
What he's saying:
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stated, “Without Ukraine, there can be no discussions about Ukraine,” emphasizing that Kyiv’s NATO accession is "irreversible."
Key points:
- The U.K. government asserts that Ukraine's path to NATO is irreversible, while the U.S. dismisses such a possibility.
- Reports indicate Trump is negotiating a potential peace deal with Putin without Ukrainian involvement.
- European NATO members express concern over Trump's demands for increased defense spending, requiring 5% of GDP allocation.
- The U.K. plans to raise its military budget from 2% to 2.5% of GDP but has yet to clarify funding sources.
Go deeper:
The growing divergence between the U.S. and the U.K. on Ukraine’s NATO membership raises broader questions about Western unity in handling the Ukraine crisis. With Trump’s direct engagement with Russia and his push for increased NATO spending, European allies are becoming increasingly wary of Washington’s shifting priorities. If Trump’s peace plan progresses, Ukraine may be forced to accept territorial losses dating back to Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, further complicating NATO’s stance in the region.
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