Raphael Stevens

Donald Trump praised Sir Keir Starmer’s “beautiful” accent as he pledged to continue the “special” relationship between the US and UK.The two leaders held a press conference following an earlier Oval Office meeting where the war in Ukraine and trade deals featured high on the agenda.Earlier on Thursday (27 February), Sir Keir handed a letter from King Charles to Mr Trump, inviting him to the UK for a second state visit.Speaking at the press conference, Sir Keir said: “I look forward to welcoming you to the United Kingdom.”The US President replied: “What a beautiful accent. I would have been president 20 years ago if I had that accent.” More

Sir Keir Starmer appeared to clash with US Vice President JD Vance over his previous attack on Europe’s free speech.America’s relationship with Europe was brought up during Sir Keir’s White House meeting with Donald Trump on Thursday (27 February).Speaking at the Munich Security Conference earlier this. month, Mr Vance accused European governments – including the UK’s, of retreating from their values and ignoring voter concerns on migration and free speech.Mr Vance said US and Europe relations would be discussed at lunch, before he was interrupted by the UK Prime Minister, who told him: “We have had free speech in the United Kingdom for a long time.” More

Donald Trump appeared to make a U-turn after previously describing Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “dictator”.The US President was quizzed about his relations with Zelensky and Vladimir Putin during an Oval Office meeting with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Thursday (27 February).He was also asked about his comments calling the Ukrainian president a “dictator” earlier this month.“Do you still think President Zelensky is a dictator?”, a reporter asked Trump.The president replied: “Did I say that?“I can’t believe I said that. Next question please.” More

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has claimed the US and Ukraine are “very close” to signing a minerals agreement.The former Tory leader, who is in Kyiv today (24 February) on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, made his comments during an interview with Good Morning Britain.He said: “There is a very interesting develop. I believe we’re very close to getting this minerals agreement signed between the US and Ukraine.”His comments follow those of White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who claimed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will soon sign an agreement to cede control of much of his country’s rare earth minerals to the US as part of a process he says will lead to an end to the war with Russia. More

Stephen Fry has warned of a growing global shift toward authoritarianism, calling it a “darkening shadow” over the world.Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg (23 February), the British actor and writer said, “I’m deeply worried by the darkening shadow spreading across the world—the shadow of what we have to call fascism.” He described it as a “cult of power” that only engages with other power. Fry also claimed that Donald Trump, like Vladimir Putin, has “contempt” for British politicians, as well as French President Macron. More

French president Emmanuel Macron says he will tell Donald Trump to “not be weak” in the face of Vladimir Putin, when he travels to the White House to discuss America’s move to end Russia’s war in Ukraine on Monday.Macron shared his approach in a question and answer session on social media on Thursday (20 February), in which he said he would tell Trump showing weakness toward the Russian president is ‘not in his interest’.“How can you then be credible in the face of China if you’re weak in the face of Putin,” he added. More

Donald Trump has accused UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer of “not doing anything” to resolve the war in Ukraine triggered by Russia, as the US president continues to defend his controversial remarks about the country’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky.After Fox News presenter Brian Kilmeade mentioned upcoming visits to Washington by Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron, Trump criticised both of them for their responses to the conflict.”Macron’s a friend of mine and I’ve met the prime minister and he’s a very nice guy, but nobody’s done anything,” he claimed. More