The Guardian view on Starmer in Washington: don’t compromise on the truth | Editorial
IIt is difficult to determine expectations summit With no useful precedent. British prime ministers have previously visited the White House and in a wide range of geopolitical contexts, but the host president was not hostile to the Atlantic alliance. This was not said that Washington’s foreign policy regarding European security was Closer to the Moscow line From London.
Traditional points about “special relationship” and the common values of Mr. Kerr Starmer are not known in dealing with Donald Trump. History is not related, but in essence issues – probably, a settlement to end the war in Ukraine – Mr. Trump behaves like the head of the mafia more than a statesman. His method is Honoring the request In exchange for protection.
Sir Kerr’s challenge is to communicate with the American President on his own terms, while he was heading towards a more advanced understanding of events – which includes the concept of the United States’ continuous interest in NATO and European Democrats. The Prime Minister pledged this week Lifting defensive spending in the United KingdomUnfortunately, it was funded by transferring the resources of bad governance from development aid abroad, a basic step in that tactical maneuver.
Mr. Trump’s contempt for NATO, which is shared by the previous US administrations, comes that the Europeans use the alliance for independent download on the Pentagon resources. Announcing Britain as a country ascends to pay its path may buy some traction in the conversation about the future of Ukraine. Sir Kerr will also want to enhance the message, which is delivered to the White House Earlier this week By French President Emmanuel Macron, Russia cannot be trusted to honor any deals that do not include a great deterrent against more aggression by Moscow.
This must be framing in terms of American power and Mr. Trump’s personal glory. The president must see his own interests clearly illuminated by viable alternatives to a dirty, urgent deal with Vladimir Putin, over the head Volodymyr ZelenskyyWith the terms of the trading of Ukrainian sovereignty.
Sir Kerr must argue that the American opportunity and the commercial opportunity will not be available unless the deal is sustainable. This means, in the short term to the average, at least, security guarantees for Ukraine Europe alone is not yet equipped to present it. He must find the angle in which national interests in the United Kingdom and Mr. Trump’s personal arrogance must be found.
It is a sacrificed work. The American president often starkly says. It is sensitive to contradiction. Sir Care will not want to inspire the presidential mood, but he must also defend reality against deliberate misinformation. Mr. Trump has refuted Mr. Zellinski distorted As a “dictator” and his denial of the Russian responsibility for the war. It is easier to present this message in data from Downing Street more than the president’s face as a guest of the White House. It will require great ingenuity.
Sir Care should be realistic about the new and dangerous character of US foreign policy, but realism is not equal to satirical residence with Caprice to Mr. Trump. Besides ethical necessity, the UK has a strategic interest in the facts that constitute the basis of international diplomacy. Talking about the truth to a great power gold, in public places and in the private sector, is an indispensable part of the prime minister’s mission.
