UK will not be derailed by Ukraine US help freeze, says Angela Rayner

Sir Keir Starmer won’t be “derailed” in working to finish the battle in Ukraine after the US suspended navy help to the nation, the deputy prime minister has mentioned.

Angela Rayner mentioned the prime minister was “laser focussed on getting peace” and would proceed “dialogue” with each President Donald Trump and Europe.

She mentioned this was “a really critical second” within the battle and harassed the UK, together with its European allies, have been targeted on supporting Ukraine.

The US president made the choice to freeze US navy help for Ukraine on Monday, after a gathering with members of his high crew.

The US is by far the largest particular person donor of navy help to Ukraine, offering weapons, tools and monetary help.

Between the beginning of 2022 and the tip of 2024, it gave $69bn (£54.6bn) in navy help, in line with German assume tank the Kiel Institute.

The choice got here hours after Trump criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for saying the tip of the battle with Russia is “very, very distant”.

The pair had an explosive spat within the Oval Workplace final Friday, with Zelensky leaving the White Home earlier than a proposed deal on sharing Ukrainian minerals with American corporations might be signed.

On Monday, the White Home introduced it was “reviewing” the supply of ammunition and different tools to Ukraine to “be sure that it’s contributing to an answer”.

Reacting to the choice, Rayner instructed the BBC the Trump administration wished Europe to step up and had been clear about its intentions to finish the battle in Ukraine.

Rayner mentioned the prime minister was additionally “laser-focused on getting peace”.

“He will not be derailed by bulletins,” Rayner instructed Radio 4’s At present programme.

“He’ll proceed that dialogue with our oldest and strongest ally, the US, and with European companions and with Ukraine.”

Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch mentioned the UK and Europe should “rearm quicker” following the US announcement.

She mentioned: “The information in a single day that America is halting navy help to Ukraine is profoundly worrying.”

Over the weekend, Sir Keir hosted a summit of western leaders, as they scramble to form peace negotiations and clean over fractured relations between Trump and Zelensky.

The UK and France are taking a number one position and have each dedicated to ship troopers to Ukraine, below one proposal.

However other than rising spending on defence, there seems to be no consensus on a plan to finish the battle amongst European leaders.

A UK authorities spokesperson mentioned: “We stay completely dedicated to securing an enduring peace in Ukraine and are participating with key allies in help of this effort.

“It’s the proper factor to do, and is in our curiosity to take action.”