Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government What is the UK’s place in Trump’s world?
Feb 21, 2025
Peter Ricketts, former UK national security advisor, dives into the intriguing dynamics of the UK's position amidst Donald Trump's recent comments on global issues, particularly Ukraine. He discusses the shifting nature of UK-US relations, emphasizing the challenges of maintaining strong alliances under Trump's unpredictable leadership. The conversation touches on Keir Starmer's potential diplomatic role and the UK's ambitious defense policy overhaul, all while balancing the complexities of international security with a dash of political reflections from notable figures.
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Trump's Transactional View of NATO
- Trump views NATO allies transactionally, unlike the traditional view of shared values and interests.
- This shift jeopardizes the 80-year alliance, prioritizing deals with adversaries like Putin.
Article 5 and Trump
- Trump's indifference to NATO commitments raises doubts about Article 5's reliability.
- Despite this, maintaining NATO, appealing to Congress, and acknowledging future presidencies remain crucial.
Starmer's Opportunity
- Keir Starmer should emphasize slowing down Ukraine negotiations to avoid a rushed, bad deal.
- He can leverage his position to promote European defense and speak truth to power.