Trump and Starmer have spoken twice on the phone in the last 24 hours(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Keir Starmer spoke with Donald Trump today as European leaders sought to calm fears over his threats to annex Greenland. The Prime Minister appeared to be acting as an intermediary in a bid to convince the US President to pursue his goals through diplomacy rather than taking the Danish-owned territory by force.
After first speaking with the President on Wednesday evening, the PM spoke with Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Denmark. Mr Starmer “reiterated his position” on Greenland, No10 said, adding that both leaders agreed Nato should “step up” in the area to deter Russian aggression.
He then spoke to Mark Rutte, the Secretary General of Nato along similar lines, before speaking again to Trump in the afternoon.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The leaders discussed Euro-Atlantic security and agreed on the need to deter an increasingly aggressive Russia in the High North. European Allies had stepped up in recent months to defend Euro-Atlantic interests, but more could be done to protect the area, the Prime Minister said.”
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy was set to meet with US Vice President JD Vance today – with Greenland and Venezuela also likely to be on the agenda at their meeting.
The Deputy Prime Minister is in the United States to take part in an event to mark the 250th Anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence from Britain.
French president Emmanuel Macron yesterday warned the US under Trump was “breaking free from international rules” and “gradually turning away” from some of its allies. UK minister Pat McFadden insisted the US remains a “reliable ally”, despite President Trump’s behaviour.
Downing Street said the PM, who has repeatedly said Greenland’s future must be a matter for it and Denmark alone, “set out his position on Greenland” during the call.