Former US President Donald Trump has ignited a political firestorm by claiming Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer would have "surrendered" Ukraine to Vladimir Putin at the start of Russia's invasion. The controversial remarks, made during a private fundraiser, have drawn fierce condemnation from British officials and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's inner circle.
Trump's Explosive Allegation
Speaking at a closed-door event in Florida, Trump reportedly stated: "Starmer would have given up Ukraine in five minutes if he was in charge." The comments, first reported by The Independent, suggest the Republican frontrunner believes Britain's potential future prime minister lacks the resolve to confront Russian aggression.
Ukrainian Officials Respond
Senior figures close to President Zelensky have strongly rejected Trump's characterisation. A source within the Ukrainian leadership told The Independent: "President Zelensky has always valued Britain's unwavering support, regardless of which party is in power."
Westminster Backlash
The remarks have provoked outrage across the UK political spectrum. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps called the claims "utter nonsense," while shadow foreign secretary David Lammy accused Trump of "peddling dangerous falsehoods."
Historical Context
Trump's intervention comes as he positions himself as the likely Republican nominee for the 2024 US presidential election. The former president has frequently boasted about his relationship with Putin and suggested he could quickly end the Ukraine war if re-elected.
What This Means for UK-US Relations
Analysts suggest these comments could foreshadow tensions in the special relationship should both Trump and Starmer find themselves leading their respective countries next year. The Labour leader has previously committed to maintaining Britain's strong support for Ukraine.
