Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in Johannesburg for the G20 summit, embarking on a mission to bolster international support for Ukraine and secure major business deals for the UK, just days before a crucial Budget announcement.
Diplomatic Push and Major Business Announcements
Sir Keir's attendance at the gathering, which has been shunned by US President Donald Trump, was defended by Downing Street as a critical opportunity. The Prime Minister immediately got to work, meeting with South African president and G20 host Cyril Ramaphosa after landing on Friday, November 21, 2025.
He announced a series of commercial agreements worth a combined £400 million, spanning the transport and defence sectors. These include a deal for Government-owned Crossrail International to advise on South Africa's railways, a £35 million contract for British Steel to supply Turkey's high-speed network, and a £370 million package of air deals with Algeria for Rolls-Royce jet engines. UK defence firm Babcock also secured an initial contract to support South African navy submarines.
Ukraine Top of the Agenda
The geopolitical situation in Ukraine forms a central pillar of the Prime Minister's engagements. Sir Keir, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is scheduled to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later on Friday.
This urgent discussion comes in response to Washington's reported drafting of a peace plan with Moscow that would allegedly require Kyiv to cede territory and disarm. No. 10 stated the Prime Minister would use the summit to "shore up support for Ukraine" in light of these concerning developments.
Navigating a Fractured Global Stage
The summit's atmosphere has been impacted by the notable absence of several world leaders. Alongside President Trump, Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping are also skipping the forum. President Trump's boycott is linked to widely rejected claims about the persecution of white people in South Africa.
When questioned about Mr Trump's absence, Sir Keir told reporters, "I think it’s really important to be there and to talk to other partners and allies." He emphasised the direct link between international engagement and domestic prosperity, highlighting that 200,000 UK jobs have been generated from G20 countries in the last three years.
Defending his trip so close to the Budget, which is expected to involve tax rises, a No. 10 spokesman insisted that all overseas travel is "focused on the priorities of people in this country." Sir Keir also addressed his approach to China, stating his policy is to "co-operate where we can and challenge where we must," amid speculation of a potential visit to Beijing early next year.
