UK's Starmer and US's Trump discuss Ukraine war and strategic base deal

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump have coordinated on key foreign policy issues, discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine and a contentious agreement over the strategically vital Chagos Islands. The Tuesday phone call highlighted the close alignment between the two allies on security matters.

Focus on Ukraine and Upcoming Talks

According to a statement from Starmer's office, the leaders addressed the situation in Ukraine, with the Prime Minister condemning recent Russian attacks on critical infrastructure as "particularly depraved" amid severe winter conditions. The discussion came ahead of a new round of trilateral peace negotiations involving US, Russian, and Ukrainian officials set to begin in Abu Dhabi.

Assurances on Diego Garcia Military Base

A significant portion of the call was devoted to the UK's agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. Both leaders recognized the paramount strategic importance of the Diego Garcia military base, located within the islands. They agreed their governments would "continue working closely to guarantee the future operation of the base," seeking to allay US concerns about the long-term status of the facility.

Background of the Chagos Agreement

The deal, signed in May last year, would end over two centuries of British control over the archipelago in exchange for a 99-year lease allowing the US and UK to continue operating the Diego Garcia base. The agreement has faced delays in ratification, partly due to criticism from President Trump, who previously labeled it "an act of great stupidity." The base is a critical asset for US military projection in the Indian Ocean region.