Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump held what is likely to be their final telephone conversation of 2025 on Sunday afternoon, with discussions centred on major global conflicts and diplomatic appointments.
Key Diplomatic and Security Discussions
According to a readout from Number 10, the two leaders began their call by reflecting on the ongoing war in Ukraine. Sir Keir updated President Trump on the work of the international coalition supporting efforts to secure a just and lasting peace to end the hostilities.
The conversation then turned to the Middle East, where they discussed the dire humanitarian situation on the ground in Gaza. The call, which President Trump took from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, also covered the strengthening of bilateral ties.
Appointment of a New Ambassador
The Prime Minister informed the President of the appointment of Christian Turner as the new UK ambassador to the United States. Sir Keir stated that Mr Turner's role would "further deepen the relationship between the two countries."
Mr Turner, a veteran diplomat currently serving as the UK's permanent representative to the United Nations, will fill the position left vacant by Lord Mandelson. The former ambassador was sacked by Sir Keir in September after the extent of his friendship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was revealed.
Context of the Epstein Files Release
This high-level diplomatic contact occurred just three days after the US government began releasing vast quantities of material from the so-called "Epstein Files." President Trump had faced pressure from his own supporters to publish these documents, a move he resisted for weeks.
The trove, uploaded to the US Department of Justice website on Friday night, included court records, footage, and images. Among them was a photograph appearing to show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor reclining across the legs of five people with his head near a woman's lap.
As the call concluded, the two leaders exchanged seasonal good wishes ahead of the Christmas holiday, with both expressing a desire to speak again soon.
