Trump and Starmer speak after astonishing few days
What an extraordinary few days it has been for UK-US relations; Three developments, each pointing in different directions.
Imagine being a fly on the phone line as the Prime Minister and President Trump caught up last night and spoke for the first time since the White House’s recent foreign activities.
First, there is clear public skepticism on the part of the United Kingdom and European allies of American designs on Greenland.
Second, the British government’s cautious attitude towards Washington’s actions in Venezuela; The prime minister welcomed outcomes such as the impeachment of President Maduro, but did not want to be publicly guided on the legality or other aspects of these tools.
And third, the pride in helping America seize a ship in the North Atlantic is a reminder of how close this has become to the headlines of recent days.
As one MP put it in the House of Commons, one of the fronts against Russia is in our backyard on the north coast of Scotland.
The government’s claim that America helped capture the Marinera was a no-brainer, as this ship had connections not only with Venezuela but also with Iran and Russia, enemies of the US and Britain.
On Wednesday morning, after nearly a week of planning, Britain supported an American operation to seize the Russian-flagged ship.
British support had three strands: allowing the use of UK air bases before and after the operation; RFA Tidal Power Assisting American forces and Royal Air Force aircraft in providing what is described as “surveillance support.”
RFA Tideforce is capable of refueling other ships and has a helipad and medical unit.
Defense Secretary John Healey points out that Marinera and ships like it help finance Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Healey told MPs that Britain’s intervention was in line with international law because it breached sanctions on Iran.
He said that the ship, which the USA has sanctioned since 2024, was carrying 7.3 million barrels of oil on behalf of Iran.
The official said that Iran’s evasion of sanctions “finances terrorism worldwide” and cited Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen as the beneficiaries.
He said it was “told” that the ship “adopted the Russian flag” as it tried to evade capture.
He added that Britain remained determined to “deter, disrupt and humiliate the Russian stay-behind fleet”.
While he took questions from MPs for nearly two hours about both the tanker and the possibility of sending British troops to Ukraine after any peace deal was reached, he said this was an important part of Britain’s steadfast support for Ukraine.
There is great pride in the House of Commons for the support Britain has provided Kiev in recent years, but there are many questions about the consequences of the government’s promise of military aid.
How many soldiers might be doing it, for how long, and what exactly?
There are no answers to these questions yet, but ministers say there will be a debate and vote in the House of Commons before any appointments are made.
