French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are staging strategic negotiations in Washington this week to counter growing skepticism about American support for Ukraine. With the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion approaching, European leaders aim to convince former President Donald Trump that abandoning Kyiv risks destabilizing global security.
Macron delivered a blunt warning during his White House visit:
“If you let Russia take over Ukraine, it would be unstoppable.”The French leader emphasized alignment between U.S. and European interests, framing sustained military aid as essential to containing Putin’s expansionist agenda.
Starmer adopted a more conciliatory tone ahead of his Thursday meeting, positioning Britain as a mediator while reaffirming ironclad support for Ukrainian sovereignty. The prime minister’s office confirmed plans to discuss:
- Joint European troop deployments as a security backstop
- Accelerated defense spending increases by NATO allies
- U.S. airpower commitments to deter future Russian aggression
Both leaders confront Trump’s repeated claims that European nations haven’t sufficiently contributed to resolving the conflict. France recently pledged to exceed NATO’s 2% GDP defense spending threshold, while Britain committed to reaching 2.5% – a potential bargaining chip during talks.
Oxford historian Margaret MacMillan cautioned that transatlantic partnerships often fracture under geopolitical strain. “Great powers tend to do what suits them,” she noted, underscoring the high stakes of this diplomatic offensive.
Beyond military coordination, negotiations will address trade tensions and Trump’s controversial proposals regarding Gaza and the Chagos Islands. U.K. officials hope Brexit alignment and balanced bilateral trade will mitigate tariff risks.
As Macron and Starmer leverage historical alliances and economic incentives, their ultimate challenge remains clear: convincing Trump that lasting peace requires Ukraine’s direct participation – not unilateral concessions to Moscow.